Reading partners sought for students in Greater New Haven

The Jewish Coalition for Literacy is seeking volunteers to become reading partners to students in area public schools.

 

The JCL is a nondenominational program that "recruits, trains, places and supports volunteer reading partners in local public schools to read one-to-one with children," according to a release. "Reading partners share the pleasures of reading and the thrill of helping a student enjoy learning."

 

No prior experience is required, according to the release.

 

An orientation and information session for new and returning literacy volunteers will be held at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday Sept. 17 at the Jewish Community Center of Greater New Haven, 360 Amity Road, Woodbridge.

 

Fay E. Brown, associate research scientist, Yale Child Study Center; Krista Bergin, literacy intervention facilitator, New Haven Board of Education and Cheryl C. Durwin, professor of psychology assistant chairwoman, Psychology Department, Southern Connecticut State University, are panelists who will present "best practices of reading with a child and highlight the importance of reading partners offering children a nurturing opportunity to help them succeed," the release said.

 

"In just one hour per week, reading partners make a significant positive impact on their students as they enjoy reading and conversation, sharing the pleasures of reading, enabling children to become confident readers and stronger students while improving their English language skills."

 

Further, volunteers choose the day of the week, time of the day, specific school and grade level of the student with whom they would like to work, the release said. Children who would most benefit from the individualized attention and support are selected by teachers and reading specialists.

 

For more information and to register for orientation program, email bbrenner@jewishnewhaven.org or call 203-387-2424 ex. 308.

Hamden Library’s bookshop open for 'business'

HAMDEN — The Friends of the Hamden Library’s Second Hand Prose bookshop on the lower level of Miller Memorial Library will resume its regular hours in September.
Gently used books — many like new — for both adults and children will be for sale at bargain prices on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Donations of good used books are also welcome, organizers said.

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed.

 

A Walk in the Country

Step out the the Friends of the Woodbridge Library

WOODBRIDGE - Eleanor Berger, the author of the recently published book “Stepping Out: A Tenderfoot’s Guide to the Principles, Practices, and Pleasures of Countryside Walking,” will stroll into the Woodbridge Library for a talk at 7 p.m. April 26.
The event is part of the Friends of the Woodbridge Library annual meeting. The library is at 10 Newton Road. The event is free and open to the public.
Berger's book is "based on her experiences walking more than 1,000 miles of pathways, mostly in Great Britain, over the past decade," library organizers said in a statement.
“Stepping Out” is "packed with personal essays to assure, amuse and inspire both the rookie and the well-traveled walker," the statement said.
It is "highly entertaining book of travel tales" describing what a "long walk over country trails is like and, for those who decided to give it a try, provides a resource brimming with useful advice."

Berger, a long-time resident of Plattsburgh, N.Y., is a well-traveled writer, with more than three decades of professional experience writing personal commentaries, stories and essays, which have appeared in magazines, newspapers, and anthologies, and have aired on regional public radio stations in the Northeast, the statement said.

The Friends' support of the library includes activities for all ages, from pre-school story times to Cancer Project cooking classes to statewide museum passes, the statement said. Annual contributions from the Friends provide for books, audio books, programs, and equipment that would otherwise not be funded, the statement said. Their used bookstore is open on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and they offer a fall Purves Memorial Lecture, as well as their April Annual Meeting. Membership in the Friends of the Woodbridge Library is open to all interested people, organizations, and businesses.

Copies of Berger’s book will be available for purchase and signing the evening of the event. They may also be purchased through Amazon.com.

Talking books in New Haven

NEW HAVEN - The Elm Street Book Group's selection for its March 17 session is "The Art of Racing in the Rain," by Garth Stein.
The group meets at 6 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month at New Haven Public Library, 133 Elm St.
Stein's award-winning book is "a moving story told by a dog with great human potential," organizers said in a statement. It is a bestseller. Millie Grenough, author of "Oasis in the Overwhelm," will facilitate the discussion.
The public is always welcome and copies of the book are available at the library. Those who register for the discussion will receive a complimentary coffee or tea from Blue State Coffee, Wall St., New Haven.
There is no charge to participate, and free parking is available. Register at www.artofracing.eventbrite.com or call 203-946-8835.