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READ/San Diego - Adult and Family Literacy Services
Located on the Eighth Floor of Central Library
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.
Regular Hours |
|
|---|---|
| Monday | 9:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. |
| Thursday | 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. |
| Friday | 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
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 people's lives by empowering them to read. Our professional staff of literacy experts coordinates the efforts of volunteer reading tutors. They also cooperate with local adult schools, community colleges and other literacy education providers in making and receiving student referrals.
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. They do this by teaching low-literate parents and caregivers with preschool children the skills they need 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 about Maria's story (PDF). - Erika Sayas
"Thanks to this wonderful program, my kids have become early readers, all of them!" Read more about Erika's story (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.2019 Conference
- Saturday, June 8, 2019 - 29th Annual Tutor Conference
2018 Conference
- Saturday, June 9, 2018 - 28th Annual Tutor Conference
2017 Conference
- Saturday, June 10, 2017 - 27th Annual Tutor Conference
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.
- 2011 - READ/San Diego's Families for Literacy Program
won a $10,000 award from Better Books and the National Center for Literacy. - 2006 - READ/San Diego was honored with the Advancement of Literacy Award from the American Library Association. The national award honors a publisher, bookseller, hardware and/or software dealer, foundation or similar group that has made a significant contribution to the advancement of adult literacy. Read the full Advancement of Literacy Award press release.
- 2004 - READ/San Diego was named one of the top community partnerships in the nation by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Vocational and Adult Education. Read the full Top Community Partnerships press release.
Volunteer Literacy Tutors Needed Now!
At any given time, there are up to 150 people on a waiting list to take advantage of this free literacy program. Helping someone learn to read is giving them the gift of knowledge with the power to change their entire world! Your volunteerism can help change lives! See real life stories:- Maria Gonzalez
Following her participation in the Library's READ/San Diego program, Maria Gonzalez passed her GED, found a job and became active in her children's education. Read more about Maria Gonzalez (PDF). - Bob Perez
At 88 years old Bob Perez proved you can gain literacy skills at any age. Read more about Bob Perez . - 2016 READ/San Diego Honorees
- 2015 READ/San Diego Honorees
See how READ's students, with the help of their tutors, are developing the skills they need to attain their goals and reach for their dreams.
Become a Volunteer!
If you want to make a difference, please take a look at our Volunteer Opportunities and contact READ/San Diego at [email protected] today!
- must be at least 18 years of age;
- 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); and
- must make a minimum six month commitment to your assigned adult learner.
- be provided 15 hours of 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; and
- have on-going support from the literacy professionals on staff at READ/San Diego.
Watch short video interviews of real adult learners at: www.libraryliteracy.org.
2019 Tutor Training Schedule
To register for training or more information, call 619-238-6603 or email [email protected]