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A.K. Smiley Public Library

Serving the City of Redlands, California since 1894

Because of California's Regional Stay Home Order to slow the spread of COVID-19, in-person services are suspended until further notice. Books to Go, eLibrary, and Virtual Story Time are available and we are looking into other ways to continue to service the community. Read more about how Smiley Library is protecting the community from COVID-19.

Adult Literacy

Welcome to the Redlands Adult Literacy Program, whose mission is to provide free, professional, and confidential tutoring in reading and writing to help learners in the Redlands community reach their literacy goals.  One-on-one tutoring services, adult literacy computer classes, and other literacy services are available to adults 18 years and older and youths 16 and 17 years old, who are not currently enrolled in high school.  Tutoring services are provided at no cost.  Lessons are individualized, confidential, and goal-oriented.

Do you or does someone you know want help with reading and writing?

  1. Learners must be at least 16 years old and out of the traditional high school environment.
  2.  A learner must be able to speak and understand English.
  3.  Learners are matched with a tutor and must make a commitment to meet with their tutor once a week for 1½ hours for six months. All meetings are at the library or library approved locations.

Interested in Volunteering?

Volunteers are from our community and must be at least 18 years old.  No previous teaching experience is required.  Tutor qualifications are: the ability to speak, read, and write English; compassion and sensitivity to the needs of adult learners; and the willingness to be trained to assist the learner in meeting the learner’s goals.  Volunteers are needed to:

Tutor: Tutors meet weekly with learners for 1½ hours on a date and time that fits with their schedules.  Meetings occur at A. K. Smiley Library or at library-approved locations.  Tutors are provided with teaching materials and techniques to assist with any challenges that may arise.

Literacy Class Volunteers: Volunteers are also needed for adult literacy computer classes, conversation classes, book clubs, public outreach and other adult literacy activities. If you are interested in supporting adult literacy but cannot make a weekly commitment, we welcome you as an adult literacy volunteer!

Current Tutors:  To reserve space in the literacy lab or the tower room to meet with your learner, please fill out this form.

To learn more, join us at a Zoom Tutor Orientation.   Please call the Redlands Adult Literacy Program office at 909.798.7565, ext. 4138 or email literacy@akspl.org to sign up for the Orientation or if you have any questions. We look forward to hearing from you!

Program Support and Donations:

The Redlands Adult Literacy Program is grateful for the funding it receives from the State California Library Literacy Services and city of Redlands for personnel costs. The need for adult literacy services is great in our community. An estimated one in five adults in the United States has difficulty reading job placement postings, medical directives, voting materials and other written materials crucial to functioning in this society.  To meet this pressing need, donations and grants are used to fund adult literacy materials, technology, and classes.

Donations may be sent to: A. K. Smiley Public Library, 125 W. Vine St., Redlands, CA 92373. Checks may be addressed to the Friends of A. K. Smiley Public Library, a tax-exempt, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, memo reference Adult Literacy.  If you have any questions, please contact the Redlands Adult Literacy Program at (909) 798.7565, ext. 4138, or e-mail: literacy@akspl.org

Stay informed:

Please continue to visit this website for further information regarding upcoming adult literacy news and events.  Working together, we can change the lives of adults, their families and our community through literacy.

Our Stories, A Collection of Writings, Volume 3

We invite you to hear authors read their stories

Introduction

Celebrate a Decade of Adult Literacy in Redlands

Learn more about the Redlands Adult Literacy Program:  Enjoy a recent edition of Redlands Reads!

An Honest Tale

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