Literacy Support Council of Placer County

In 1985, California State Library Literacy Services created a path for people to learn to read - or improve their literacy skills - in their own communities, through their public libraries. At that time, the state provided a five-year grant to Placer County Library to establish the Placer County Library's Literacy Service (PALS), serving adults throughout Placer County.  The Placer County Library Literacy Specialist trained and coordinated the work of volunteer tutors who worked one-on-one, offering free, confidential reading and writing help. When the grant funding ended in 1991, Placer County Library, under the direction of Librarian Dorothy Sanborn, agreed to underwrite the PALS program as long as a nonprofit corporation was established as a support group for PALS. A group of tutors, led by Janet Dadisman, and aided by new Librarian Susan Hildreth, formed the Literacy Support Council of Placer County to provide resources (funds and volunteer hours) for PALS.  Long-time library volunteer Carol Peterson joined with tutor Richard (Dick) Cushman to obtain 501(c)(3) non-profit status; they continued to provide leadership for many years.  Tutors who were not currently working with a learner became involved with the LSC, becoming important assets in the support of adult literacy.  Today, Literacy Coordinator/Senior Librarian Tony Carmack, explains, "Placer County Library Literacy is a program that serves to provide the Placer community with the tools for improving reading and writing skills to reduce illiteracy for the children and adults of the County.  We have bolstered the collection of print and online materials available to an even larger number of library users by putting literacy and other English language resources in circulation.  As Literacy Coordinator, I've promoted our circulation collection as well as new digital resources available through funding from the American Rescue Plan Act and the California State Library to the stakeholders in Placer County, particularly through membership in First Five Placer."  During the Covid-19 pandemic, Placer County Library's online resources served the community well, with Libby, Hoopla and Tumblebooks resources and HelpNow (interactive online learning for students of all ages), and JobNow (online information for job seekers).  In 2022, LSC purchased Early Learner kits for the library's Family Literacy program - clear backpacks that contain a book plus a toy/manipulative item related to the book - to help children enjoy learning along with their caregiver(s), who may also have low reading skills.   In 2023, LSC funded books for Placer County Jail inmates; the "Parent and Child Connection" program records inmates as they read a children's book aloud, then sends the book, and the recording, home to the inmate's child. PALS tutors and Literacy Support Council members, as well as all community members who are passionate about reading and lifelong learning, provide the support (volunteer hours, advocacy, and funds) needed to help increase literacy skills throughout Placer County.

Margarito Contreras-Chavez's Story:
"I am from Mexico and came to the United States at about fourteen years of age. I was impressed by the way this country looked so different from Mexico.  The houses had gardens, were well landscaped, and there were trees on the sides of the road and sidewalks.  The lawns were green and well kept, and everything appeared very clean and proper. The first time I heard English was when I was 26 years old.  The sounds of the language were so soft as opposed to the Spanish language to which I was accustomed. My first encounter in communication was when I tried to buy some donuts. I put three donuts in a bag and went to the cashier.  I was asked how many were in the bag, and I could not answer.  This incident encouraged me to start learning English and eventually I found the Placer Adult Literacy Service in which I am enrolled, and it has helped me learn English.  I started learning English with the Placer County Library tutoring program about two years ago.  My only goal at that time was to improve my pronunciation and to learn more English.  I now find that I can speak better and can ask more questions at work.  My self-esteem has improved as I can now communicate better.  I am more at ease speaking, not only with my co-workers, but also with the patrons of the restaurant where I work.  My goals have changed somewhat as I am now confident that I have learned enough English to be able to enroll at Sierra College and earn a degree."