County Library Adult Literacy Program offers free one-on-one tutoring for adults

Two smiling women, one with white hair and tan cardigan, the other with black hair and a green sweater, write in notebooks at a desk with other classmates in a classroom setting. — Building bridges through education! Our Adult Literacy Program is fostering connections and empowering individuals.

The San Bernardino County Library invites adults across the county to improve their reading skills through its free Adult Literacy Program, a confidential, one-on-one tutoring initiative designed to help adult learners build confidence and achieve personal literacy goals.

The Adult Literacy Program pairs adult learners with trained volunteer tutors for individualized instruction. Through weekly tutoring sessions held at local library branches, learners receive personalized support to strengthen reading and writing skills in a welcoming and respectful environment.

The program also relies on dedicated community members who volunteer as adult literacy tutors. Volunteer tutors, also known as reading coaches, receive training through the library before being matched with an adult learner. Tutors commit to meeting in the library for two hours per week over a minimum of six months and play a critical role in helping learners progress at their own pace.

Prospective tutors must be at least 18 years old, speak English fluently, possess strong reading skills, and hold a high school diploma or GED. In addition to completing training and orientation, volunteers must demonstrate patience, a willingness to teach basic literacy skills and an interest in making a meaningful difference in someone’s life.

Adult learners interested in the program must be at least 17 years old, not currently enrolled in school, speak basic English and read or write below a seventh-grade level. Participants commit to regular tutoring sessions and benefit from individualized goal setting, skill development and increased confidence in daily reading tasks.

Adult Literacy services are offered at the following library locations throughout San Bernardino County:

Adelanto Branch
11497 Bartlett Ave., Adelanto

Apple Valley Branch
14901 Dale Evans Parkway, Apple Valley

Barstow Branch
304 E. Buena Vista St., Barstow

Big Bear Lake Branch
41930 Garstin Drive, Big Bear Lake

Chino Branch
13180 Central Ave., Chino

Chino Hills Branch
14020 City Center Drive, Chino Hills

Fontana Lewis Library and Technology Center
8437 Sierra Ave., Fontana

Grand Terrace Branch
22795 Barton Road, Grand Terrace

Hesperia Branch
9650 7th Ave., Hesperia

Highland Branch
7863 Central Ave., Highland

Lake Arrowhead Branch
27235 Highway 189, Blue Jay

Loma Linda Branch
25581 Barton Road, Loma Linda

Rialto Branch
251 West 1st St., Rialto

Twentynine Palms Branch
6078 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms

Yucaipa Branch
12040 5th St., Yucaipa

Yucca Valley Branch
57271 29 Palms Highway, Yucca Valley

In addition to in-person services, learners and tutors can access online literacy resources, including Literacy.org, LINCS (Literacy Information and Communication System), and tools to help locate literacy programs nearby.

For more information about the San Bernardino County Library system, visit library.sbcounty.gov, call 909-387-2220 or follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

The San Bernardino County Library system is a dynamic network of 32 branch libraries that serve a diverse population over a vast geographic area. The County Library strives to provide equal access to information, technology, events and services for all people who call San Bernardino County home.

Additional County Update News – December 18