Santa Barbara Public Library Invites Volunteers to the Fall Session of Adult Literacy Tutor Training
Make a difference in someone’s life — become a Volunteer Adult Literacy Tutor at Santa Barbara Public Library!
New volunteers complete a 3-hour training and orientation to become a tutor, then personalized training and support before being matched with an adult learner. The next orientation session is Saturday, August 19th, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Central Library at 40 East Anapamu Street in downtown Santa Barbara. Please register for the training on the Library’s calendar.
Ongoing tutor support and additional training are available through one-to-one appointments and coaching with Literacy Education for Adults and Families (LEAF) staff at Santa Barbara Public Library, as well as monthly tutor skills workshops that allow tutors to learn additional techniques for addressing learners’ needs. Learners come from a wide variety of backgrounds and have goals ranging from improving their English language reading, writing, spelling, or pronunciation skills, to getting a GED, becoming a citizen, or learning how to help their children with homework. Volunteers meet one-on-one with adult learners weekly at the Central or Eastside Library to help learners achieve their educational and professional goals.
No prior volunteer or teaching experience is required, but tutors must complete a background check and commit to at least one year of service volunteering 2 hours a week. Commitment, imagination, energy, flexibility, patience, and persistence are highly desirable qualities for tutors.
Bilingual tutors who speak both English and Spanish are especially in demand.
“While tutors obviously make a difference in the lives of the learners they work with, tutors often report they learn just as much for the experience,” said Library Director Jessica Cadiente. “Adult Literacy is central to the Library’s mission, and we couldn’t offer this program without the hard work of dedicated volunteers.”
For over 30 years, the Santa Barbara Public Library Adult Literacy Program has helped thousands of local residents reach their learning goals. Volunteer to make a difference in the community.
Santa Barbara Public Library is a department of the City of Santa Barbara. Visit the Santa Barbara Public Library online at SBPLibrary.org for information about programs and services. All library programs are free and open to the public.