One of NCFL's valued partners, Better World Books, has gone on tour with Lilith Fair this summer to help promote literacy. Better World Books is one of four enterprises chosen by the Lilith i4c Campaign.

NCFL's own Emily Kirkpatrick met up with Better World Books and Lilith Fair in Los Angeles recently and was on hand for a book-signing by author Monica Holloway.

Holloway, whose latest memoir Cowboy & Wills shares how a golden retriever changed the life of her autistic son, was a keynote speaker at the 2010 National Conference on Family Literacy in April.

Check out this recent e-mail announcement from NCFL partner, Dollar General Literacy Foundation, and the Ad Council. We are proud and excited to be involved with this project!

Dollar General Literacy Foundation and the Ad Council are proud to partner on a national public service advertising (PSA) campaign that aims to help high school dropouts get started on the road to their GED® Diploma.

NCFL has teamed up with the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and ProLiteracy to create a new national literacy directory to help people find local adult literacy programs and GED® testing centers in their areas.

The web-based directory, available at www.nationalliteracydirectory.org, contains more than 8,000 listings. Visit the directory now to search for program listings, or click the "Feedback" link on the homepage to add a program listing.

Better World Books and the National Center for Family Literacy are teaming up again this year to provide grants for libraries with exceptional family programming.

Applications are now being accepted for the Better World Books/NCFL Libraries and Families Award. You can get more information and apply online at http://www.famlit.org/BWB-library-award. Applications are due by Nov. 12.

NCFL anticipates awarding three $10,000 grant awards – one in each of the following three categories:

1) Local Friends of the Library programs

2) Public/academic libraries

3) Urban libraries

Betty Londergan's idea is simple: for one year, donate $100 a day to a charity. June 2, 2010 was NCFL's day. Check out the post here and while you're there, check out Betty's reasons for doing this, who else she's helped, and more about the WhatGives365 story.

In his keynote address at the first annual Mom Congress ™ on Education and Learning, Secretary Duncan praised NCFL's efforts as leading work in education for families. Secretary Duncan later noted NCFL's Springdale, Arkansas, Toyota Family Literacy Program as an effective way to get families comfortable in the educational system and raising children's achievement. Duncan headed a Town Hall meeting with delegates participating in the Mom Congress. The event cast a spotlight on the crucial role parents play in the education of children.

NCFL wrapped up the 19th Annual National Conference on Family Literacy on Tuesday with personal stories from bestselling author Monica Holloway and student speaker Nora Sandoval. Dr. Thelma Meléndez de Santa Ana, assistant secretary for elementary and secondary education at the U.S. Department of Education, was also on hand for the closing brunch. Thanks to these speakers and everyone else who made the conference such a success!

We’ll see you next year in Louisville, Kentucky, for the 20th Annual National Conference on Family Literacy!

Here’s a round-up of Day Two at NCFL’s Conference:

- NCFL Advisory Board member and 60 Minutes contributor Byron Pitts was the keynote speaker at the Monday Morning General Session. Pitts shared his message about the power of mothers and teachers who can assume the role of angels and life-coaches—and literally prevent any child from failing. Pitts’s memoir Step Out on Nothing is available from NCFL partner Better World Books. Better World Books is donating 100 percent of net profits on sales of this book purchased at www.betterworldbooks.com.

NCFL kicked off the 19th Annual National Conference on Family Literacy yesterday in San Antonio, Texas. With more than 100 sessions offered at the conference, it’s hard to recap everything, but here are some of the highlights from Day One.

- Sean Tuohy and daughter Collins Tuohy, the real life heroes of The Blind Side, shared their story at the Opening General Session. They spoke about power of family and how we can make a difference to those who need us most.

It’s official! Priscilla Diaz (Jessica), Chris Sullivan (Shock), and Dominic Colon (aka Manny Spamboni), The Electric Company cast members, will join NCFL at the 19th Annual National Conference on Family Literacy! They will join up with the show’s producers and other team members for a special session about how the show addresses nation’s literacy issue in direct and relevant ways.

Don’t miss this or one of the hundred other sessions offered at NCFL’s conference. There’s still time to register!