San Bernardino Public Library

 
ABOUT US

San Bernardino Public Library's literacy department is located in the Jack L. Hill Lifelong Learning Center which is on the 2nd floor of the Norman F. Feldheym Library. We offer classes, one-on-one tutoring, resources, and a welcome space for learners to improve their reading, speaking, and writing skills. All services are free.

Hours:
Monday & Tuesday: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Wednesday & Thursday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

MAKERSPACE

Creation Station is San Bernardino Public Library’s makerspace and is available to literacy learners to see that literacy is more than reading and writing. It is a place to make things. A safe, welcoming community place for all ages to learn, dream, design, and be creative. A place people can come together to share skills or learn new ones with hands-on instruction and access to the tools needed for their endeavors. Learn new technology with CAD drawing, 3d printers, laser cutters, Cricut machines, virtual reality, Arduino, and coding. Even take the time to revisit or learn for the first time the no-tech classics such as crochet, knitting, sewing, scrapbooking, painting, and other DIY crafts. Come in with an idea and leave with a finished project, even discover a new hobby. Take the skills learned at Creation Station to start a new vocation or further your current career.

GETTING STARTED: HOW TO BECOME A NEW LITERACY LEARNER

All incoming learners for our classes and one-on-one tutoring are required to go through an intake process with San Bernardino Public Library Literacy Staff.

1: Chat with Staff
We want to know why you're here and how we can help. If we believe your needs are better met elsewhere, we will refer you to a different agency that we know and trust.

2: Complete an Intake Form
We need to get to know you, how to best work with you, and talk about your goals. This form helps us understand where you are coming from and where you want to go. Print out a Form and fill it out before your visit!

3: Take an Assessment
This feels like a test, but it is not. Do not worry about being perfect, just do your best! This helps us know where you are for your literacy needs so we can meet you where you are at. Assessments can take 15-60 minutes depending on the person, so please plan ahead.

4: After the Intake
Congrats, you're in! You are more than welcome to attend any class we offer, schedule 1-on-1 tutoring, or hang out with us and practice on your own time using our resources. You direct your learning and we are here to help. Down the line we will check in by discussing the goals you first set when joining and provide you with another assessment.

 
APPLY TO BE A VOLUNTEER

Interested in helping someone meet their life needs? No experience is needed - we will train you how to help a person. We ask that you are open minded, ready to try new things, and are willing to learn. We are currently looking for tutors, teachers, a social media content creator, and a makerspace assistant.

Literacy volunteers must be 18 or older, clear a background check, and commit a minimum of 20 hours.

Apply Online Here

FAQ: WHAT IS LITERACY? AND MORE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1: What is Literacy?
Literacy is the ability to read, write, listen, and speak. It involves having the language skills to live, learn, and work within a community. Literacy is a large part of a person's every day life from reading street signs, answering the phone, filling out a form at the doctor's office, and speaking to their child's teacher. Literacy can even apply to more areas of life such as understanding numbers, finances, health, information, and technology.

2: Why San Bernardino?
It is estimated that 20% of adults in San Bernardino County do not speak English well or do not speak English at all. This means that around 305,000 people struggle to communicate their needs in day to day life.

3: Is this free?
Literacy services are free.

4: Why is there so much information to fill out?
The San Bernardino Public Library Literacy Department is entirely grant funded. The information we take is for reporting and demographic purposes so we can continue to receive grant funding and help you for free.

5: Is this information confidential?
Yes. Any information given to the Jack L. Hill Lifelong Learning Center is kept confidential with literacy staff.

6: How often should I attend?
We recommend meeting a minimum of two hours a week for one-on-one tutoring or attending one class a week.

7: Can I get my citizenship through you?
No. We are here to teach information relevant to passing the naturalization test and can provide practice for the Citizenship Interview Test. You will still need to go through the local citizenship center to begin your citizenship process.

RESOURCES

Information Databases
Brainfuse
LearningExpress Library
GetSetUp
Footsteps2Brilliance
Tuition Funding Sources
Northstar Digital Literacy (For full access contact [email protected].)
LinkedIn Learning
Skillshare

SBPL Virtual Reference Desk
Virtual Reference Desk: Employment Resources
Virtual Reference Desk: Government and Legal Resources
Virtual Reference Desk: Health and Medicine
Virtual Reference Desk: Tax Information

Additional Websites
DigitalLearn.org: Learn about Computers
GCFLearn.org: Technology and Career Skills
PracticalMoneySkills.com: Learn how to handle finances