Thank You For Your Support!

On Saturday, May 14, 2011, the LAMP Literacy Program held its third annual Walk-for-Literacy fundraiser at Barnes Park.


This year we had 80 participants walk around Barnes Park to help raise funds and awareness for the Literacy Program in the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library.

Together, we raised a total of (drum roll please) $8,094.00.

Thank you to all of those who participated or contributed in any way. The LAMP Literacy and Citizenship Program will continue to provide its services to the residents of Monterey Park. Donations are accepted year-round online. If you were unable to participate in the walk-a-thon but would still like to make a donation, just click on the button below.

Asian American Voices

photos by Brian Minami

For the past couple of months, students from the Claremont Colleges, through the Intercollegiate Department of Asian American Studies (IDAAS), have partnered with the Literacy for All of Monterey Park (LAMP) program at the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library in a course titled “Asian American Voices.”

photos by Brian Minami

Pitzer College professor Dr. Kathleen S. Yep (right) and interdisciplinary artist and community organizer Traci Akemi Kato-Kiriyama (left) co-created the course, which brought together students from the Claremont College and adult ESL learners from the LAMP program.

photos by Brian Minami

Throughout the course, both Claremont College and the LAMP students shared personal narratives of silence and empowerment, reflecting on the relationship between self and society. They learned from each other’s experiences and helped to maintain a supportive space in which each woman could express her voice through both writing and dialogue.

photos by Brian Minami

On May 2, 2011 they made their voices heard by sharing their experiences in front of a crowd of 95 people at the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library. If you would like to read the collection of poems written by the students through this collaboration, click here.

3rd Annual Walk for Literacy

It’s our third year and we are looking forward to seeing you again! Bring your favorite pair of walking shoes and join the Literacy Team of Walkers as we parade around the Softball Field at Barnes Park on May 14, 2011, to raise funds for the LAMP Literacy Program.

Free T-shirts will be given to the first 100 participants who register early for the event. Registrations can be taken at the LAMP office on the second floor of the library or on the morning of the event. Donations to support the literacy program can also be done online on our Literacy /Citizenship Tab.

Click here to join our team of walkers on Razoo!

What is LAMP?

Walk For Literacy

It is time again for our annual Walk For Literacy walk-a-thon event which will take place on Saturday May 22, 2010 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m at Barnes Park. Last year we raised $3,300.00, so this year we are aiming for $5,000.00. If you would like to participate in the walk-a-thon, contact the LAMP office for a registration form and a sponsor form. Don't wait! Start getting sponsors now! Or, if you or someone you know would like to make a secure donation using a credit card, click on the button below:

Thank you all for your support.

Why We Volunteer

Changes to Library Hours and Days

Dear LAMP Volunteers, Instructors and Tutors,
Today is a day of bad news for our library community. It saddens me to inform you that due to budget cuts our library will be closed on Fridays and Saturdays effective March 1, 2010. Our library will also suffer layoffs as well and those remaining will make every effort to maintain the highest quality of organizational efficiency possible in delivery of service to our patrons.

My first goal is to inform my volunteer staff of the changes that must be made to continue providing literacy services to our adult learners. Saturday class schedules will be moved to Mondays and Wednesdays where there is space available or other days if you have another preference. If you tutor on Fridays and Saturdays, please make arrangements with your tutees to come in on the remaining days we are open. Volunteer instructors are being asked to work with me in moving their class time and students to Mondays through Thursdays. We have one month to make this transition possible and successful. All of us have invested many hours and tremendous dedicated efforts to make the successful program it is today and I am hopeful that we can adjust to these hard economic times and continue to provide this community with the biggest gift of all – literacy!

I welcome your comments and thoughts.


Norma Arvizu,
LAMP Literacy Administrator