Cranston Lead Teacher Chris Bourret reports that the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a  redesign of the Citizenship Test for 2008. They are piloting new questions which are posted on their website . They will soon be publishing a study guide.  There are no changes to the interview process.
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=dcf5e1df53b2f010VgnVCM1000000ecd190aRCRD

Learner Web

The Providence Public Library has agreed to sponsor the Learner Web with RIFLI for a three-year pilot.  The Learner Web is a web-based application providing free online facilitation and support of adults seeking to improve their basic skills, prepare for the GED or pursue other learning goals and skills.  Adult ESL and basic education learners can log on to a free web site and complete a short registration and a goals and needs assessment.  A customized match of the relevant resources and tools help them develop their goals, form plans and learn and practice needed skills.  Please register for a demonstration at www.learnerweb.org.  In the next year, RIFLI is responsible for developing partnerships and building collaborations in the adult literacy community in Rhode Island and adding learning resources and community resources.  Karisa welcomes your feedback.

Bookletters

The Providence Public Library has adopted a new service called "Bookletters".  It is an online readers’ advisory service tool.  It will be available in the upcoming weeks in Providence.   The East Providence Library also utilizes Bookletters. http://www.booksite.com/texis/scripts/bookletter?sid=6291. 

Here are examples of how other libraries are using the service:   

Glendale Public Library, AZ  http://www.ci.glendale.az.us/Library/  

Lawrence Public Library, MA   http://www.lawrencelibrary.org/  

Toledo-Lucas County Public Library, OH http://www.toledolibrary.org  

Evelyn, Louise and Karisa are members of PPL's Bookletters Reader's Advisory Committee and welcome any ideas on how to best utilize this new service in our program.