Knowledge is Power

On Saturday, March 4, WoW! librarian Annika Janzen attended the Knowledge is Power 2017 conference.  This event was held by the advocacy group Parent Voices, in partnership with Central Valley Children’s Services Network.  Parent Voices advocates for children and parents at the state level and provides resources for parents of young children.  Speakers at the event included representatives from the Fresno County Office of Education, the United Farm Worker's Foundation of Fresno, Central California Legal Services, as well as the Children's Services Network and the Library.

 Deborah Bernal from Literacy Services presented a workshop for parents on encouraging early literacy skills for their children.  The Families for Literacy program, offered through FCPL, provides activities and education for parents and caregivers of young children aged 0-5.  One of the aims of the program is to get kids ready for kindergarten, and there are so many opportunities to get young children ready for school before they even start reading or speaking.  Annika signed people up for library cards and spread the word about the library’s upcoming Spring Storytime and Craft events, as well as other helpful library resources.  

Digibus Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

The official ribbon cutting ceremony for the Digibus was held in the parking lot of the West Fresno Branch Library on January 27, 2017. The Digibus is a mobile computer lab where instructors will be on hand to assist participants in searching for a job, using email, and sharpening their basic computer skills. 

A beautiful day for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Board of Supervisor Chairman Brian Pacheco, California State Assembly-member Dr. Joaquin Arambula, and representatives from Congressmen Devin Nunes' Office, Congressman Jim Costa's Office, Senator Andy Vidak's Office and Assembly-member Jim Patterson's Office were among those who joined the County Librarian, Laurel Prysiazny, in cutting the ribbon.

The Digibus is officially ready for service.

Collage of the certificates and proclamation presented to Prysiazny at the event by those mentioned above.

The Fresno County Public Library Digibus crew.

Look out for the Digibus in your neighborhood.

Times and locations for the Digibus can be found here.

Get Job Ready on the Digibus!

The Fresno County Public Library WoW! is pleased to announce the launch of the Digibus Mobile Classroom on January 27, 2017 from 1-2 pm at the West Fresno Branch.

Equipped with tablet computers, our instructors are ready to help you learn computer skills, use email, navigate the web, search for a job, and create and print your resume!

Our specially designed Digibus website is available in English and Spanish, and can be accessed on any internet computer or mobile device.

The Digibus will conduct a morning and afternoon class from Monday-Friday at selected sites in Fresno County.   This is a free service.

See where the bus is scheduled to visit- www.fresnolibrary.org/digibus.

Summer of Citizenship

There are different ways of gaining U.S. Citizenship.  Many of us are born in the United States.  Citizenship is automatic when you are born in the U.S.  Then there is Naturalization, where an adult spends years in the U.S. as a Lawful Permanent Resident and fulfills all the requirements of naturalization.  That includes learning basic English, passing a civics exam and a thorough background check as well as several other steps and expenses.  Another path is being the minor child of a U.S. citizen.  The minor is born in another country but has at least one parent who is either a natural born U.S. citizen or becomes a naturalized U.S. citizen.  The minor-aged children of those citizens are then eligible to apply for citizenship.

On August 13, in partnership with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Fresno County Public Library hosted a Citizenship Ceremony for 26 of those young new citizens ranging in age from 8 to 18.  The Woodward Park Regional Library was decked out in red, white and blue for the event.

 
 The Library had activities throughout the ceremony to showcase how FCPL is a part of the community.

During registration hour, there were two crafts available.  For our younger guests, we had a construction paper Chinese Lantern craft while our tweens and teens were able to make modge podge tile coasters.  

   

 After USCIS officials opened the ceremony, WoW! Librarian Michelle Gordon offered some welcoming remarks, touching on her experiences working with the immigrant community in Fresno County.  Then two more FCPL librarians showcased their own talents.  Nicole Settle, the county-wide Children’s Programming Librarian, read a story about the U.S. flag.  That was followed by Woodward Park Regional Library’s Youth Librarian, Tiffany Polfer, providing a book talk (think movie trailer but for books) for the tweens and teens in the audience.

 

Tiffany then took all the candidates on a tour of the Woodward Park Regional Library that ended in the children’s room.  There, all 26 candidates took their Oaths of Allegiance, which was administered by the Fresno Field Office’s Supervisory Immigration Services Officer.  After the Oath, everyone said the Pledge of Allegiance and watched a short congratulatory and welcoming video by President Obama.  USCIS then presented the certificates of citizenship to each new citizen.

 

It was a wonderful and special event.  FCPL has made a large effort to offer more comprehensive resources to Fresno’s immigrant community.  We offer Citizenship Corners in numerous branches currently and are expanding those locations monthly.  Another Citizenship Ceremony is scheduled for September 17, 2016 at the Central branch.