Annual Ex-Libris Dinner Set for November 9th September 20, 2017 Join us for Oakland Literacy’s Annual Fundraising Dinner Ex-Libris! Thursday November 9, 2017 6:30 – 10:00 pm Village Club, Bloomfield Hills Featured Speaker: Sarah Miller Sarah Miller began writing her first novel at the age of ten, and has spent the last two decades working in libraries and bookstores. She is the author of two previous historical novels, Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller, and The Lost Crown. Her nonfiction debut, The Borden Murders: Lizzie Borden and the Trial of the Century, was hailed by the New York Times as “a historical version of Law & Order.” She lives in Michigan. Featured Tutor George Zak and Student Jose Arenas Tickets: Patron Ticket is $125; Benefactor Ticket is $175. For reservations, please call 248-253-1617.
Bookstock is Coming Soon April 17, 2017 Mark your calendars for the biggest book and media sale to hit Michigan! Come buy books or volunteer! The Oakland Literacy Council benefits from this event and coordinates volunteers for Friday evening and Saturday. We need your help to sell more books on April 29th. To sign-up, please visit: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F0A4DA5AB2DA7FF2-bookstock1 To find out more, please visit: www.bookstockmi.org
Come Join the OLC at Leon and Lulu April 17, 2017 Come see us at Leon and Lulu! Book on over to Leon & Lulu from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 30 for a brand new spring edition of the retailer’s award-winning Books & Authors event. This will mark the ninth Books & Authors event at Leon & Lulu. The event – formerly held only once a year in October – is a juried book fair featuring mostly Michigan writers. Guests will now have the chance to mix and mingle with up to 60 authors who will sell and sign books, twice annually. “Books & Authors has just exploded with popularity with changes in the industry, making book publishing more accessible to talented authors,” says Mary Liz Curtin, co-owner of Leon & Lulu. “Hosting the event twice a year will allow new authors to meet their adoring fans. This year we’re again working with the wonderful folks at the Oakland Literacy Council, who provide the basic literacy and English language instruction necessary for adults in our community to find employment.” The Oakland Literacy Council will be on hand to greet shoppers and 10% of the day’s proceeds will be donated to the nonprofit agency. With a nod to Independent Book Store Day, the April 30 Books & Authors also will give guests the chance to check out Leon & Lulu’s new Three Cats Café, which is next door at The Show. Here writers will read excerpts of their work from 11:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. where patrons can enjoy baked goods and coffee drinks, or lunch until 3 p.m., while listening. Shake the ink-stained hands of local authors and celebrate reading, writing, and really good hot dogs at Leon & Lulu’s Books & Authors event April 30. For a full list of expected authors, please visit www.leonandlulu.com/meet-the-authors. Admission is free and the event is open to the public. For more information, visit www.leonandlulu.com. Find Leon & Lulu on Facebook at www.facebook.com/leonandlulu. To learn more about Three Cats Café, go to www.threecatscafe.com. Daily lunch offerings are published here www.facebook.com/threecatscafe.
International Potluck Scheduled for March 15th February 23, 2017 Tutors, Students and Supporters of the Oakland Literacy Council are invited to our annual potluck on March 15th. This year the event is sponsored by Bank of Ann Arbor, Birmingham office. Come Share Food From Around the World Doors open at 5:30 pm. Please bring a food dish to share from your home country. Bloomfield Twp Library. Please RSVP by March 6th to info@oaklandliteracy.com or call 248.253.1617. For more information, see the flyer.
Council Seeking Staff Member To Support Tutors November 23, 2016 The Oakland Literacy Council is seeking a part-time tutor coordinator to support and train the volunteer tutors that help over 300 low-literacy adults each year. For more information view the Job Description.
27th Ex Libris Event Once Again Inspires Audience October 19, 2016 Thank you to the Sponsors of the 2016 Ex Libris dinner in support of adult literacy Over 110 guests gathered at the Village Club in Bloomfield Hills on October 13th to hear best-selling author Johnathan Rand discuss the link between his writing and adult literacy. The Ex-Libris event, in its 27th year, is an annual dinner that supports the work of the Oakland Literacy Council. Bestselling author Johnathan Rand shared how his books have inspired literacy efforts Johnathan Rand, the bestselling author of dozens of suspense books for adults and children including the American Chillers series, shared a powerful and moving personal story of connecting with an adult learning to read through his books. Attendees also heard from Ossie Tate, a student in the Oakland Literacy Council program who has made remarkable progress. Tate talked about his reading problem as, “one of the most shameful things I have ever experienced was not be able to read. The shame that I carried all of these years because I didn’t want anyone to know find out I couldn’t read.” Read the entire post
Shop and Meet Local Authors at Leon and Lulu October 18, 2016 Authors from 2015 event Once again Leon & Lulu in Clawson will be opening their doors to local authors in support of adult literacy. More than 60 authors will be on hand throughout the store to share their reading and writing works with curious shoppers on Sunday October 23rd from 11 am – 5 pm. Read the entire post
Board Pledges to Double All Donations to the Back to Basics Campaign October 18, 2016 The Oakland Literacy Council recently launched a Back to Basics fundraising campaign to increase the number of adult basic education students. All donations made to this campaign will be doubled up to $25,000 by a match provided by the Board of Directors and other generous donors. In Oakland County, over 100,000 people lack basic literacy skills and need the one-on-one tutoring help that the Oakland Literacy Council provides. The Back to Basics initiative strives to increase the number of adults receiving basic education tutoring by 65%. Donations will be used to serve more students like James. Read the entire post
New Tutor Training Program Reduces Time to Become Certified October 18, 2016 A professionally designed, interactive online training course is now being offered to new volunteers which reduces the amount of time needed to become a trained tutor for the Oakland Literacy Council. The Oakland Literacy Council has now made it easier than ever to help adults improve their English skills. The Council provides free one-on-one tutoring for adults seeking better job skills, a high school credential, citizenship, or to help their child become successful learners. The Council relies on trained volunteer tutors who meet with students for two hours each week in local libraries, coffee shops, and other public buildings throughout Oakland County. Read the entire post