Libraries at the Intersection of Adult Education, Family Literacy, and Digital Equity

Wednesday, 9/23/2020
  • 2:00 PM-3:15 PM (Eastern)
  • 1:00 PM-2:15 PM (Central)
  • 12:00 PM-1:15 PM (Mountain)
  • 11:00 AM-12:15 PM (Pacific)

In conjunction with Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, this webinar will explore the library’s place and role at the intersection of adult education, family literacy, and digital equity in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The discussion will highlight how these connections impact communities of color and other under-served groups. Among the questions that the panel will consider are:

  • What does this interconnection mean for libraries serving these types of communities?
  • How can/should libraries approach/address these concerns?

The linkages among these three themes are particularly relevant to the current conditions under which libraries find themselves performing. Organized in a format the includes presentations and audience engagement, the panel will provide multiple views of and approaches to these issues.

This webinar is cosponsored by The Committee on Literacy, AILA, APALA, BCALA, CALA, and REFORMA. 

Learning Outcomes

  • Attendees will gain an understanding of how adult education, family literacy, and digital equity intersect
  • Attendees will come away with concrete examples of programming and other resources

Who Should Attend

All library workers who would like more information in engaging adult learners. 

Speakers

Gary Beharry has been working in Adult Education for over 15 years.  He currently works with a diverse immigrant population as the Library Literacy Center Manager for Queens Public Library at Flushing Adult Learning Center. He received his Masters in Adult Education from Buffalo State College and TESLA Certification from the Literacy Assistance Center in NYC. 

Graduated from the School of Library and Information Studies, McGill University Canada, Xi (Cathy) Chen joined Queens Public Library in 2004. Currently she is the Assistant Director of Programming and Operations, New Americans Program. Cathy is an active member of ALA, CALA, PLA, and NYLA.

Tiffeni Fontno is the Head Librarian of the Educational Resource Center at Boston College. She is a former classroom teacher and school librarian.

Cindy Hohl (Santee Sioux) is the President of the American Indian Library Association and works as the Director of Branch Operations at the Kansas City Public Library. She holds a Master of Business Administration degree and is an ALA Spectrum Scholar. Cindy is passionate about sharing information to support members of tribal and rural communities, and she is on the Steering Committee of the Joint Council of Librarians of Color. 

Gwenn Weaver has served as Chair and two-term member of the ALA Committee on Literacy and the Literacy Assembly; National Advisor to ALA’s Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation Great Stories Club; and racial healing circle practitioner. Gwenn’s many professional roles have included consultant to national literacy initiatives, broadband program specialist at the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Vice President of a higher education consulting practice and librarian.

Vonda Bryant is the Learning Services Coordinator for Broward County Library. Bryant is passionate about the programs and services she oversees, which includes Each One Teach One- adult literacy, Career Online High School (COHS), Homework Help, English and Citizenship classes and the Library’s newest initiative Project Welcome.

Michael Bryant is the Adult Services Coordinator for Broward County Library.  Mr. Bryant oversees the Library's adult programs including but not limited to adult online programs, financial literacy, and technology. 

Kelly Tyler is the manager of the Office of Education at the Los Angeles Public Library. She oversees the first library-based high school diploma program in the country and 21 Literacy Centers across the city. Her team delivers a continuum of learner-driven educational services for thousands of Angelenos powered by over 500 volunteer tutors and teachers yearly, building on a legacy of nearly 35 years of library literacy services.

Registration

Cost

Free

How to Register

Register via zoom: https://ala-events.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_PygxGejnSp2oxg06EbwlWA

Tech Requirements

Computer with AV and internet. Ability to run Zoom. 

Contact

Kristin Lahurd

klahurd@ala.org

This webinar is cosponsored by The Committee on Literacy, AILA, APALA, BCALA, CALA, and REFORMA.