Friends of the Libraries: That skills gap is yours to close
An Oct. 31 story in the Los Angeles Times by Tiffany Hsu, “A ‘skills gap’ is blamed for slow hiring,” stated that California employers are seeking qualities that many candidates don’t have.
Some of the missing qualities are English-language competency, reading comprehension, math skills and critical-thinking aptitude. When I hear statements like this, I wonder if these job seekers took advantage of their public libraries when they were growing up.
Our libraries serve as technology hubs, offer classes and make available computers for individual research. Discussion groups foster critical thinking; literacy programs help those of all ages become fluent readers; speaker programs inform on all fronts, including global awareness, health and environmental questions.
If someone wants to do some independent study, the library has a wealth of topics to explore. And if a person can’t find the book or other format in the local library, there is always interlibrary loan — borrowing from a library that does have it.
The above solutions for learning are mainly for adults, but we also have to consider what our children and grandchildren will need to know and the skills they will need in the future. Many library programs help to broaden a child’s perspective and understanding of life, including story hours, crafts and building blocks. Information provided in different formats, from paper books to digital ones and CDs and movies, spark learning. The same with special programs featuring animals, music and magic.
Children who enter kindergarten with pre-literacy skills can focus on learning to read. They are more likely to succeed throughout their school years.
As children grow into their teens, programs such as the Summer Reading Program help them stay primed for the next grade instead of slipping backward skill-wise. And from the time they are very small, the literature selected by skilled librarians will enable them to understand different cultures and people.
When people are looking for a job, libraries offer more than a computer and Internet connection through which to submit an application.
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Libraries closed Nov. 11
All three of the Orange County Public Library branches in Costa Mesa will be closed Nov. 11 for Veterans Day.
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At the Donald Dungan Library
Toddler Storytime is regularly scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday. Join Mr. Erik for stories, songs, finger plays, crafts and more. Toddlers and preschoolers are welcome to attend, and no registration is required.
Tuesdays from 2 to 6 p.m. is set aside as Duplo Play Day. Children and their families are welcome to build their own unique creations at one of the special tables in the lobby.
A family story time, just before bedtime at 7 p.m. Wednesdays, is open to children of all ages and their families. Children are welcome to come in their pajamas and bring their favorite stuffed toy.
The family movies for the next two weeks are “The Lion King,” a 1994 animated musical adventure film, on Nov. 13, and “Toy Story,” a 1995 comedy-adventure film and the first feature-length computer-animated film by Pixar. It will be shown Nov. 20. Them movies start at 3:30 p.m.
Gustavo Arellano, author of Ask a Mexican!”, a nationally syndicated weekly column published by Orange County’s alternative OC Weekly, will give a lecture in the Community Room of the library at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 20. Arellano, who also wrote “Orange County: A Personal History,” will talk about his writing and answer questions about his columns and books.
The Film Club selection for 6:30 p.m. Nov. 18 is “Party Girl,” a 1995 film directed by Daisy von Scherler Mayer and starring Parker Posey.
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At the Mesa Verde Library
Enjoy a unique blend of traditional and digital stories for preschoolers with finger plays and songs at 11 a.m. Nov. 12 and 18. A half hour of Craftivity will follow both sessions. And later at 2 p.m., Afternoon Storytime will be held, again with Craftivity following.
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At the Costa Mesa Technology Library
Brush up on basic computer skills with the help of a library volunteer. Classes are at 4 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and at 3:30 p.m. on Fridays.
MARY ELLEN GODDARD produced this column on behalf of the Friends of Costa Mesa Libraries, the Costa Mesa Library Foundation and the three Costa Mesa branches of the OC Public Libraries.