Riverside County Library - Patrons can get free study and career help through library service

Patrons can get free study and career help through library service
Press Enterprise: September 21, 2010 by Gail Wesson

Arlene Cano hits the road in her job talking to PTA groups at branch libraries, and earlier this week to a group of adult English language learners at the San Jacinto Branch Library, about a free online reference and tutorial service for all ages offered to library patrons.

"I'm just trying to go anywhere I can to spread the word," said Cano, outreach coordinator for the Riverside County Library System.

TheTutor.com service offers help in English and Spanish to school children, testing prep materials for all ages, including GED and citizenship, and a career center that offers resume critiques.

At the San Jacinto library, Cano alternates between English and Spanish for her audience, mostly members of an English language class taught by Rolando Olivo, site supervisor with the library's literacy program.

A student in the class, Juana Macarno, of San Jacinto, said she is interested in the citizenship preparation help offered by the service.

Another student, America Maldonado, of San Jacinto, said she wants to help her daughter study for the California High School Exit Exam. Test preparation materials are available through Tutor.com.

Even if an adult doesn't have a computer, "someone in the family does have one," said Olivo. If a family does not have Internet service at home, the library has Wi-Fi and patrons may use a computer at the library. READ MORE !