Tutoring

SBPL’s Adult Literacy Program matches learners with trained volunteer tutors to work one-to-one towards a variety of learning goals, including:

• Reading, writing, and spelling in English
• Learning English as a second language
• Preparing for the GED (general equivalency degree) test
• Preparing for the US Citizenship test

All Adult Literacy services are free and confidential. 

Adults are eligible for literacy tutoring if you: 

• Are 16 or older
• Are not enrolled in a degree program
• Are able to work with a tutor a 1-3 hours per week

To learn more about joining SBPL’s Adult Literacy Program, call 805-564-5619, email Literacy@SantaBarbaraCA.gov, or visit the Adult Education Center at the Central Library. You can also fill out the form below.

Need basic assistance learning how to use your computer or mobile device? Work One-to-One with a Tech Coach!

SBPL Tech Coaches can help you:

• Download apps
• Operate your cell phone
• Learn basic computer skills
• Create an email or Google account
• And much more!

Central Library

• 45 minute appointments
  • Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday
    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Thursday
    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
• Drop-in (20 minute sessions, no appointment necessary)
  • Tuesday
    • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Thursday
    • 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM

Eastside Library

English

• 45 minute appointments
  • Wednesday
    • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
• Drop-in (20 minute sessions, no appointment necessary)
  • Wednesday
    • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Bilingual

• 45 minute appointments
  • Tuesday
    • 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Thursday
    • 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
    • 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
  • Friday
    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Please bring specific questions or problems to be resolved to your coaching sessions. Please have your passwords ready. Coaches cannot assist with hardware problems.

SBPL’s OG Readers program pairs students in 1st-4th grades who are struggling to learn to read with tutors trained in Orton-Gillingham methods. Students meet with their tutor weekly for an hour at library locations to practice skills that will improve their reading, writing, and spelling. Tutors are trained volunteers who have completed background checks.

The Orton-Gillingham approach uses multi-sensory learning, phonics based instruction, and other tools to demystify the process of learning to read. This approach was developed for readers with dyslexia, but are great strategies for all struggling readers, including English language learners. 

The OG Readers curriculum teaches the sounds of the English language and their corresponding symbols, spelling rules and generalizations, and syllable types. The program uses a specific order of introduction of reading skills based on how we learn language. Students must master one reading skill before moving on to the next. The lessons are structured to include the same seven basic parts for each meeting: decoding and/or phonograms, sight word reading, the new concept for the lesson, alphabet knowledge, spelling, dictation, and oral reading. 

To learn more about the program or add your child to the waitlist for a tutor, email 

OGReaders@santabarbaraca.gov.