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Kristin Pedersen-Carver and Monika Perez reviewing lesson materials.

Kristin Pedersen-Carver and Monika Perez reviewing lesson materials.


2010 writing class

Literacy AmeriCorps member Helen Warner (standing) and Barbara Rojas (seated left) teaching a basic writing class at READ/San Diego's computer lab.

READ San Diego Logo

San Diego Public Library's

Adult and Family Literacy Services

READ/San Diego is a free literacy instruction service for adults 18 years and older. This award winning program has become a model for the country. It is staffed with literacy professionals, who work with community organizations and coordinate the efforts of volunteer reading tutors to teach adults to read and write, and improve literacy in San Diego.

Volunteer Literacy Tutors Needed Now!

More than 150 people are on a waiting list for this free literacy program! Become a Volunteer Literacy Tutor. Your volunteerism can help change lives! See real life stories:


Why Literacy Matters

In San Diego County alone, there are over 450,000 adults who cannot read and write well enough to take care of the everyday tasks that we take for granted. That means they can't read medicine labels, recipes, or even the guide on the television. Many cannot read to their small children, which puts the children at a disadvantage when they begin school.

READ/San Diego is working every day to make a difference in those people's lives by empowering them to read. Our professional staff of literacy experts coordinates the efforts of volunteer reading tutors and cooperates with local adult schools, community colleges and other literacy education providers in making and receiving student referrals.


Families for Literacy Program

Mariana Gomez with her sons

Mariana Gomez with her sons, Felipe and German at City Heights Families for Literacy Program

In addition to providing individual one-on-one tutoring for adults, READ also conducts Families for Literacy. This program is designed to break the cycle of intergenerational low-literacy, by teaching low-literate parents and caregivers with pre-school children the skills to be their children's first and most important teacher. Families for Literacy also provides age-appropriate books to help families build home libraries - a critical component for improving literacy for the whole family.

See real life stories about how families' lives have been changed:

  • Maria Federico
    Maria Federico brings her youngest children to the Library twice a month to attend the Families for Literacy programs - an activity that is making a big difference for her son, Oscar Acevedo. Read more. (PDF)
  • Erika Sayas
    "Thanks to this wonderful program, my kids have become early readers, all of them!" Read more. (PDF)

Tutor Conference

READ/San Diego hosts an annual tutor conference open to all volunteer tutors as well as professional adult teachers at the University of San Diego. This exciting event is full of workshops and lectures given by literacy experts at major leading institutions around the country.


Awards and News

READ/San Diego has been recognized as a model literacy program and has been repeatedly recognized nationwide for its community service and literacy leadership. Our dedication to providing comprehensive, unique modern programs has resulted in numerous grants and awards.


Become a Volunteer!

At any given time, there are upwards of 150 people on a waiting list to take advantage of this free literacy program. Helping someone learn to read is giving the gift of knowledge with the power to change their entire world! If you want to make a difference, please take a look at our Volunteer Opportunities today!

To qualify, a volunteer:

  • must be 18 years of age or older
  • must have good reading and writing skills
  • must have three to five hours of time each week to volunteer (includes time for travel, lesson preparation, and tutoring)
  • must make a minimum six month commitment to your assigned adult learner

As a volunteer you will:

  • be provided a 15 hour training
  • be provided tutoring materials and books
  • tutor an adult learner twice a week, for an hour and a half each session
  • meet at a public library or one of our learning centers
  • have on-going support from the literacy professionals on staff at READ/San Diego

Watch short video interviews of real adult learners at: http://www.libraryliteracy.org. Click on the video links at the top right of the web page.


Other Ways You Can Help


Location and Hours

READ/San Diego Office
Valencia Park/Malcolm X Branch Library
5148 Market St., San Diego, CA 92114-2209
Open Monday, 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Map


Contact Us

READ/San Diego
San Diego Public Library
Adult Literacy Program
Phone: 619-527-5475
FAX: 619-527-5485
E-mail: readstaff@sandiego.gov


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