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