International Literacy Day

Did you know that September 8 is International Literacy Day? Neither did I till very recently. One may think literacy isn't that huge of an issue but according to the International Reading Association, " More than 780 million of the world’s adults (nearly two-thirds of whom are women) do not know how to read or write, and between 94 and 115 million children lack access to education." Without literacy, simple things as such reading a label, filling out a job application, even getting around can be virtually impossible.

Want to get more involved? Check out the International Reading Association, ProLiteracy or even your local library. Often times libraries have literacy programs which they can always use volunteers for. See the Southern California Library Literacy Program website for a list of libraries. Even if you don't see a library listed near you, it's still possible there may be a literacy program there, so ask. For example, I live in Monrovia and even though they are not on the SCLLP list, I know they have a literacy program from looking on their website in the past. Last but not least, ALA (American Library Association) has lots of information on literacy from children's to adult literacy. Check out the Office for Literacy and Outreach.

Feel you just don't have the time, then take the time to sign the ProLiteracy and Literacy Powerline's Declaration for the Right to Literacy scroll which will be presented to President Obama.

The End of Publishing Video by DK

This is a text video with voice narration. Stay with it to the very end and then take a sigh of relief. But only for a little while. This is a video by Dorling Kindersley Books aka DK.

Book publishers have a strong vested interest in staying in business. Publishers have an equal desire to make sure that we, the public, understand that they understand our wants, needs and perceptions have changed.



DK is a publishing company in the United Kingdom that does sell book here in the U.S. Usually DK books are visual, well designed how-to books and guides. This video was originally produced for a sales meeting but word got out about it and it was released to the public.

I am of two minds about it. I think it is a great execution of an idea to see the the younger generation/electronic reading public in a new light beyond statistics.

And yet with the current levels of public discussions about history, politics and culture I worry that the only ones who truly care about the dissemination of information are the people that sell it and the caretakers that want to see it shared without bias.

In the video there is a mention of Lady Gaga as a indicator of what is important. I don't want to leave the impression that I'm picking on Lady Gaga or using her as an example of the mush that passes for brain in this country.

I think she is a brilliant performer who understands how to use the tools of communication to control her content and her distribution channels.

Libraries and the people that love them don't do as well at promotion. But I'm not gonna roll soda or beer cans in my hair either. How does a library, even a college library continue to state its importance to the communities that it serves?

How do you do that when there is no money? So this video got me thinking. I hope it does the same for you.

On-Line Language Translation Websites

You are all alone at the desk. You have snuggled up with a book and there is a word in another language. You can't guess at the meaning and you don't feel like browsing through the stacks.

There is help for the linguistically needy. There are free translation websites that will help you translate a word, a paragraph or an entire website.

There are a few cautions before you embrace you new translation tools. These are machines based translations, not human. They will do a good job but language is far more that matching word for word translations. There are concepts and meanings that may not exactly fit from one language to another.

I have used these on-line applications to converse with a friend in France. His English is a lot better than my French, which does not exist. Sometimes I need to explain a concept and I want to sent a letter to him in both English and French to make sure he understands.

He sends me newsletters in French that I have to translate into English. I get the general concept and meaning but there are conceptual errors that can be funny or insulting.

I've used this on the job when I couldn't find an staff interpreter. I always inform the recipient that I am using a translation program. So, let's start our run to the tower with Babel Fish.


Altavista Babelfish now known as Yahoo Babel Fish is an oldie but a goodie. Bablefish will translate a passage or an entire website. Babel Fish can translate certain forms of Chinese as well as the Roman languages.


Reverso will not only translate a passage but if you are skilled in the 2nd language you can add the proper punctuation marks if necessary. There is also a dictionary and if you are a student of languages and need to know how to conjugate a verb this could be of great help.


Google Translate - yes they do have a translation application. You can type in a search term in English and then select the language to find the equivalent term in another language with search results. It will also allow you to enter more than 150 characters of text and it will translate web pages for you. What will blow you away is the number of languages it can translate.

I hope these language tools will be a help to you inside and outside of the library. Just remember they are not a replacement for human interpreters or translators. But they might help out in a pinch if you have a patron that needs written assistance in another language.