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FAQs for Adult Literacy and OG Readers Volunteer Tutors

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Becoming a Volunteer Tutor

What are the steps to become a volunteer tutor?

Complete and submit a registration form to tutor for either the Adult Literacy Program or the OG (Orton-Gillingham) Readers Program. 
Attend training for new volunteer tutors. 
Schedule and complete your free Live Scan background check with the City of Santa Barbara's Human Resources Department by calling (805) 564-5316. 
Attend a one-to-one meet-and-greet with a member of SBPL staff
Be matched with a learner.

How can I ask a question not answered below?

Email us at Literacy@SantaBarbaraCA.gov or at OGReaders@SantaBarbaraCA.gov

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General Questions

Can I tutor for both programs?

Yes! Volunteers are welcome to tutor for both programs.

Do I need to have teaching experience to become a volunteer tutor?

No teaching experience is required.

During training, new tutors learn how to:

Understand and support different learning styles and diverse backgrounds.

Teach the four components of literacy: reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

Identify appropriate literacy-based goals.

Develop learner-centered lesson plans.

When and where do tutoring sessions take place?

Tutoring sessions take place at dedicated locations reserved for tutors and learners at Central or at Eastside Libraries during open hours.

Adult Literacy tutors and learners may also meet outside of the library. We ask that tutors and learners do not meet at their respective homes.

Can I tutor more than one person or tutor a small group?

Tutors are encouraged to start working with one student. If, after a few weeks, you would still like an additional student, please contact  Literacy@SantaBarbaraCA.gov. Oftentimes, volunteer tutors will meet with two or more students individually throughout the week. Group tutoring is not encouraged, as learners often have different goals and proficiency.

For Volunteer Tutors with the Adult Literacy Program

What is the Adult Literacy Program?

The Adult Literacy Program is a one-to-one tutoring service offered by the Santa Barbara Public Library. The program helps adults reach their educational and professional goals by pairing each learner with a trained volunteer tutor.

Who are the adult learners?

Adult learners are individuals who are 16 years of age or older. While many of SBPL’s adult learners are English Language Learners, they speak a variety of languages and have a wide range of cultural, educational, and professional backgrounds.

Expectations and requirements for Adult Literacy Volunteer Tutors

18 years of age or older

Be patient, adaptable, and dedicated

Read and write in English at a high school level

Attend a two-day training for new tutors

Clear a Live Scan background check through the City of Santa Barbara’s HR Department

Commit 4 hours per week

2 hours of tutoring.

2 hours for lesson planning and preparation

Prepare learner-centered lessons (materials and resources are provided)

Report monthly on number of sessions, time spent meeting and prepping, and successes/challenges.

For Volunteer Tutors with the OG Readers Program

What is the OG (Orton-Gillingham) Readers Program at the Santa Barbara Public Library?

The OG Readers tutoring program is a free one-to-one tutoring service for students in Grades 1 - 4 to help them become confident readers.

Orton-Gillingham (OG) is a highly structured, multi-sensory, phonics-based approach that demystifies the process of learning to read. Initially developed for readers with dyslexia, OG Readers is for all students who struggle with reading and reading comprehension, including English-Language Learners.

Students meet with their tutor for one hour each week at the Central or Eastside Library to practice skills that will improve their reading, writing, and spelling. Tutors are trained volunteers who have completed background checks. Our trained tutors use sight, hearing, and movement to help students connect language with letters and words.

Who are the OG Readers students?

OG Readers students are learners in grades 1-4 who have been assessed and found to be reading below grade level. OG Readers learners come from diverse backgrounds, including families for whom English is not their first language.

Expectations and requirements for OG Readers Volunteer Tutors

16 years of age or older

Be patient, adaptable, and dedicated

Read and write in English at a high school level

Attend a two-day training for new tutors

Clear a Live Scan background check through the City of Santa Barbara’s HR Department

Commit 1 hour a week to meeting with your learner

Prepare learner-centered lessons (materials and resources are provided)

About the Live Scan Background Check with the City's HR Department

I already passed the Live Scan background check because of another volunteer position and/or job. Why do I need to do this again?

Live Scan results cannot be shared between agencies or organizations. To volunteer with the Santa Barbara Public Library, a new Live Scan must be completed through the City of Santa Barbara’s Human Resources Department.

How do I schedule the Live Scan background check?

Call the HR mainline at (805) 564-5316 during regular business hours, Monday – Thursday 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM, to schedule your Live Scan appointment.

When calling, please let the HR team know that you will be volunteering with the Santa Barbara Public Library so that the correct appointment and paperwork are provided.

Note: Volunteers under age 18 do not require a Live Scan but must complete additional paperwork.

How much will the Live Scan background check cost?

Live Scan background checks are free for all volunteer tutors.

FAQs for Adult Literacy and OG Readers Volunteer Tutors

Becoming a Volunteer Tutor

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