Keep Alameda Reading at the Free Library

“I just want to tell you that you are my personal hero,” Arena Johnson wrote in her essay, “A Letter to Mary Monroe.” She wasn’t writing to Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey or even the beloved Mother Teresa for that matter. She was writing to the woman who helped her learn to read. And now Arena is a published author and therefore, by default, a personal hero of mine. Her letter to Monroe is included in Wish You Were Here — a 2006 collection of writings from Alameda Reads students.

For over 20 years, Alameda Free Library’s Alameda Reads adult literacy program has given adults the tools they need to read books to their children, vote, earn promotions, pass GED and citizenship tests and go to college.

In another Wish You Were Here essay, a student writes that she likes to learn new things because otherwise her “brain takes a vacation.” (I love that! I don’t know about you, but my brain is perpetually on vacation. It may even have its own timeshare.) Another writer says he hopes to get a GED and become a freelance writer. “I write my feelings down on paper. You can learn a lot about yourself if you keep a journal and write everyday.” (These people inspire me. I am a writer. I am supposed to write every day. I keep meaning to…)

I have not had the pleasure of working directly with these students. But years ago, when our girls were young, I volunteered at St. Joseph’s Elementary, listening to second graders read aloud from a series of soft cover books. Some children struggled with each word as I sat beside them on a small plastic chair, mentally willing each phrase and sentence from their reluctant mouths. It was as much a lesson in patience for me as it was a reading lesson for them.

There was one exception – a girl who read flawlessly and eloquently from much harder material. After I heard her read, I made it a point to read aloud to our daughter, Emily, every single night of the week.

We started with Laura Ingalls Wilder Little House series, progressed to C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia and then eventually J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books. I made it through the first two Harry Potter volumes aloud before Emily grabbed the third from my sleepy fingers and started reading without me.

I was simultaneously heartbroken and proud.

If either one of our daughters ever asked for a book in a bookstore, the answer was yes. (Not so much if they asked for a toy in a toy store, but a book in a bookstore? Guaranteed.) When they were little and we lived on Burbank Street, we would frequent the West End branch library and check out the maximum allowable number of books for each girl, then swap them out on the due date for the next set.

I am truly grateful that our family can take reading for granted. The only time I even think about not being able to read is when I forget my glasses and can’t see to read the morning paper at the coffee shop or a nutrition label on a package at the grocery store.

Did you know that an estimated one in four adults in Alameda are reading below the basic levels of literacy — not easily able to fill out a job application, read to their children, or understand directions on a medicine label?

It gets sadder. According to Sue Marks, Literacy Director for Alameda Reads, it seems unlikely that they will receive funding from the State Library for this fiscal year. No one knows what will happen next year. And in the midst of this funding crunch, Marks says, the program is getting higher than normal requests for literacy support.

Alameda Reads students and tutors would appreciate your support for the Alameda Free Library Foundation Benefit set for Feb. 25, 2012, where our former neighbor and opera star, Frederica (Flicka) Von Stade, will perform, accompanied by the Young Musicians at the Alameda Theatre & Cineplex. Flicka is terrific in concert and a marvelous person, and truly generous with her time and talent.

No excuses, now. If you can’t stand opera, I am sure you can just send in a check, stay home and read. And if you’re feeling strapped and even a small donation is out of the question, there is no experience necessary to volunteer with Alameda Reads. You must attend an orientation, participate in some training and commit for six months, but you will be well rewarded for your time. 

I hope author Mary Monroe got to see Arena Johnson’s letter and knows the difference she made in at least one life. “I just want to tell you that you are my personal hero. You made me start reading and learning new words.”

 "Keep me reading." Keep them all reading. Please?

For more information on the Alameda Free Library and its services, please visit their website. If you are interested in the Alameda Reads literacy program, go here. Tickets for the benefit concert go on sale on Nov. 20, and can be purchased at the Main Library Café, Books Inc., or www.brownpapertickets.com.