Hoping to open the world of books to more children, Cal State Northridge is hosting a literary training session on Sunday, Feb. 29, for people interested in becoming reading partners with children from the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD).

During the free training session, which will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the university's Noski Auditorium, volunteers will learn about illiteracy statistics, issues faced by students and schools, the LAUSD-mandated reading program and how volunteers can impact a child's life.

"Community members can learn about the desperate need to help students become better readers and how they can become part of a solution," said Lynn Gordon, a Northridge elementary education assistant professor and liaison to Koreh LA, the Jewish Coalition for Literacy.

The program provides intensive one-on-one support for struggling readers in public elementary schools. After the training, the volunteers will have the opportunity to read with one child once a week for one hour each week.

"The focus (of the program) is on bringing the joy of reading and literature vividly to life for the struggling reader," said Gordon.

CSUN is located at 18111 Nordhoff Street in Northridge. The Noski Auditorium (room NA 101) is located off the corner of Plummer Street and Etiwanda Avenue. Event parking is free in lot B6 adjacent to the auditorium.

The volunteer literacy training is sponsored by Koreh LA. The reading tutorials are non-denominational and the organization provides free literacy training to anyone looking to improve literacy within the LAUSD.

For more information about the training session or to RSVP, call (323) 761-8153 or visit the Web site at www.korehla.org.

"This is one way our college students, faculty, staff and community members can give back and contribute something meaningful and valuable to the children in the region," said Gordon. "Making a positive difference in the life of a child is profoundly rewarding."