Redlands Celebrates Adult Literacy Program
Revived 10 years ago, it sparkles in
city’s crown of jewels
If Redlands is the Jewel of the Inland
Empire, then the A.K. Smiley Public
Library’s Adult Literacy Program is one of the brightest jewels in the
city's crown.
For a decade, the program has changed
lives and opened new vistas for hundreds of community members with its team of
volunteers who provide one-on-one confidential tutoring in reading and writing
to help learners in the Redlands community reach their literacy goals.
And it’s free.
“All it takes is a desire to improve your literacy skills and a commitment to meet with your tutor once a week for six months,” said Diane Shimota, coordinator of the Adult Literacy program.
“For many folks with low-literacy
skills, there is often the stigma of embarrassment and lack of confidence. We
provide a safe, non-threatening and confidential learning environment with a
caring tutor who is focused solely on literacy goals.”
An added bonus is the learning venue.
The beautiful architecture of the historic A.K. Smiley Library provides
peaceful aesthetic settings for learner-tutor sessions.
Coping with COVID
The library reopened on Sept. 9 on a
limited basis after being closed for more than six months because of the
COVID-19 pandemic. This did not stop the literacy program. Learners continued
to meet weekly with their tutors via Zoom or on the telephone. Now they can
return to the library by reserving space in advance and adhering to COVID-19
guidelines.
Adult learner Guillermina Rangel met her
tutor Katherine Gifford in person for the first time during the interview for
this feature story. Until this physically distanced meeting in the library
garden on Tuesday, Oct. 20, they had been meeting over the telephone. READ
MORE ➤➤
Volunteers are from our community and
must be at least 18 years old. No
previous teaching experience is required.
Tutor qualifications are: the ability to speak, read, and write English;
compassion and sensitivity to the needs of adult learners; and the willingness
to be trained to assist the learner in meeting the learner’s goals.
To learn more, join us at a Zoom Tutor Orientation.
Please call the Redlands
Adult Literacy Program office at 909.798.7565, ext. 4138 or email
literacy@akspl.org to sign up for the Orientation or if you have any questions.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Volunteers are needed to:
Tutor: Tutors meet weekly with learners
for 1½ hours on a date and time that fits with their schedules. Meetings occur at A. K. Smiley Library or at
library-approved locations. Tutors are
provided with teaching materials and techniques to assist with any challenges
that may arise.
Literacy Class Volunteers: Volunteers
are also needed for adult literacy computer classes, conversation classes, book
clubs, public outreach and other adult literacy activities. If you are
interested in supporting adult literacy but cannot make a weekly commitment, we
welcome you as an adult literacy volunteer!
