Literacy, Learning, Libraries and Reading

The KCLS Foundation funds programs that reach out and encourage residents of all ages to enjoy reading and learning. This year, more than 200,000 children, youth and adults will benefit from the Foundation-supported programs. Here is a snapshot of programs we support in 2012.

Play & Learn – Facilitated play groups for young children and their family members or caregivers provide information and guidance on understanding and supporting children's learning at home. Groups meet weekly at Des Moines, Foster and Kent Libraries.

Fiestas (Early Literacy Parties) – This unique program reaches out to parents and caregivers in the Spanish-speaking community and involves families in Early Literacy activities featuring peer-to-peer training.

Early Literacy – The American Library Association recently revised the national guidelines for Early Literacy. This new handbook will be available for parents and child care providers.

Stories2Go! delivers multi-media kits to daycare centers to encourage Early Literacy skills.

Literacy Towards Citizenship – Volunteers teach sessions and distribute free workbooks for the interview component of the Naturalization Test.

You Choose the Next Newbery – This program encourages children in grades 3-5 to read, review, blog and talk about their favorite books ofthe year and vote online for the KCLS winner.

Study Zones – Now in its 12th year, this renowned homework help program recruits volunteer tutors who work with students on Math, History, English, Science, and other topics in libraries and through online sessions. This is the largest library-supported tutoring program in the United States.

Read 3, Get 1 Free – Teens read three books and write reviews, then receive a free book. In the summer months, the program also includes a laptop as a grand prize and monthly prizes (gift cards) in each of the libraries.

Summer Reading Program – This program encourages reading for pleasure and comprehension, and helps elementary school-age students maintain and enhance their skills during the school break. There is a special component for preschoolers.
The Foundation provides incentives for Summer readers.

Global Reading Challenge – The Global Reading Challenge promotes reading and encourages teamwork by providing the structure for 250 teams of 4th and 5th grade students from 18 school districts to participate in local, regional and grand challenge events.

Ready, Set, Read – Students read 20 minutes a day for 20 days, and when they reach their 400-minute goal, they receive a prize book.

SAT Prep Classes – Classes and workbooks are offered free to teens in low-income areas.

With reading at the heart of the Foundation's mission, funding for Take Time to READ activities continues in the Summer of 2012.
Now in its second year, there are new reading incentives and activities.
More than 260 larger-than-life sized book posters will appear in 15 communities this summer in the Book Cover Walking Tour. Quick Reads Shelves will expand to 20 sites. And there will be a Quick Reads display at SeaTac Airport.

It's time to GiveBIG!

The KCLS Foundation is pleased to join more than a thousand local nonprofits in one BIG day of fundraising, on Wednesday, May 2, 2012.
The Seattle Foundation's GiveBIG is a one-day, online charitable giving event to inspire people to give generously to nonprofit organizations who make our region a healthier and more vital place to live. Last year GiveBIG raised over $3 million for numerous organizations in our community.
Each donation made to the KCLS Foundation (through the Seattle Foundation's website) on May 2 will receive an additional amount, a portion of Seattle Foundation's stretch pool.
Watch for more information on how you can GiveBIG and support the KCLS Foundation. Each donation is a vote of support and gifts of any amount help. Please consider what our library services mean to you and think about participating on this planned day of community-wide charitable giving.

Look to the Library for Job Search Basics

Across King County, English language learners, immigrants and refugees face unique challenges in a difficult economy while agencies struggle to provide services to an increasing number of clients. KCLS now offers translated basic job search information in English, Chinese, Somali, Spanish and Vietnamese.
Narrated videos on job search topics, lesson plans and links to community agencies offer an array of free resources. Job seekers may borrow a USB drive and download Job Search Basics content.
Topics include Job Skills and Requirements, Finding a Job, Applying for a Job, Job Interviews and Working in America. Content is geared to beginning level English speakers and/or people who are new to job searches in the U.S. and to intermediate or advanced job seekers and those interested in starting a small business.
The inspiration and funding for this project was generously provided by the Tateuchi Foundation. Community partners: Airport Jobs, Goodwill, Puget Sound Training Center, Asian Counseling and Referral Services, Chinese Information and Service Center, Neighborhood House, St. James ESL and Seattle Public Library.

Summer Reading!

Sign up for the Summer Reading Program, starting June 1. Pick up program schedules and reading logs from your local library and start reading to earn prizes. The program is open to preschoolers and school-age students.

The KCLS Foundation supports summer reading activities, including bringing summer school students to libraries for programs.

The Read 3, Get 1 Free – Summer Edition program for teens also kicks off in June, with opportunities to read, write reviews and win prizes funded by the KCLS Foundation.

Thank you for donating online

Making a secure donation online is convenient for you, good for the environment and great for kids and families who benefit from the programs you support.
Visit www.kclsfoundation.org and click on Donate Now. Thank you.

Free Book Lover's Diary!

The KCLS Foundation, in its continuing efforts to conserve resources, is moving toward online newsletters and we need your email address to keep you informed. Simply complete the online form and we will send you a free Book Lover's Diary. You can also call Cindy Sharek at 425-369-3225 if you'd like to provide your email over the phone.

Shop and Support the KCLS Foundation

ThriftBooks.com – buy used books online from Thriftbooks, a local company that sells our 'weeded' library titles.
iGive.com – up to 26% of purchase price at more than 900 stores can be designated for the KCLS Foundation.
ReadGive – purchase magazine subscriptions and 50% of your subscription price can be designated to benefit the KCLS Foundation.

Resolve to edge in a little reading every day, if it is but a single sentence. If you gain fifteen minutes a day, it will make itself felt at the end of the year.”

~Horace Mann