Partners in Reading Events
Welcome to Partners in Reading
The mission of Partners in Reading is to enrich the lives of adults through reading, writing, technology, life skills, critical thinking, as well as English language learning; equipping them to achieve their goals and participate more fully and with greater confidence in all areas of their lives.
What Does Partners in Reading Do?
We provide free one-to-one and small group tutoring for adults whose reading or writing skills are below the ninth grade level. To qualify as a learner, an adult needs to speak and understand English at a conversational level. Tutoring is provided by trained volunteers at the King Library, a San José Public Library system branch, or another public site in San José. Tutors and learners are required to make a six-month commitment to meet three hours per week.
Established in 1989, Partners in Reading (PAR) has trained over 3,478 volunteer tutors and served over 4,328 adult learners. As a member of California Library Literacy Services, we are part of a statewide network of over 100 public libraries providing adult literacy instruction. We work cooperatively with other literacy providers, social service agencies, and community groups.
Be a Volunteer Tutor
Enter your zip code to find volunteer opportunities in your area!
Questions? Contact Volunteer Services at (408) 808-2181 or volunteer.sjpl@sjlibrary.org
Read these yelp reviews about Partners in Reading to learn what other volunteers think about the program. If you are a learner or a tutor you can add your opinion too. Thanks!
Meet Typical Adult Learners
Adults participate in PAR for many reasons. Meet Kristi, a typical adult learner who has participated in a library literacy program to enhance her language and literacy skills.
Adults who have problems reading and writing also have problems when they go to the doctor. Some try to hide their problem from their doctors. Watch these videos of Enrique and Kristi as they explain what it's like to have a health concern combined with a reading and writing problem. In addition to the human costs, in the U. S. the annual monetary cost is over $200 billion when adults go to emergency rooms more frequently, are sicker, and are hospitalized longer. Medication errors often happen when adults can't read the instructions on their medicines.
Read this San Jose Mercury News article about a tutor and a learner who have been working together for a year and a half. Monica tells her story about how improved reading skills have changed her life.
PAR News
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StoryCorps came to the library the week of January 9, 2012 to record stories. Many PAR learners and tutors told their stories. Maarnet and Virginia are shown here after they recorded their story.
Celebrating PAR's 22 Years of Achievements
With the help of trained community volunteers, San José Public Library's adult literacy program has been:
- Working to Connect, Inspire and Engage adults with low literacy
- Enabling them to develop reading, writing and computer literacy skills
- Helping them to build self-confidence and live life more fully
Read PAR's fact sheet (PDF) for more detail.
Community Needs
There are an estimated 277,000 residents (16%) in Santa Clara County and 153,000 in San José who are at the "Below Basic" level of reading, writing and understanding; unable, for example, to interpret a TV Guide schedule or understand a simple pamphlet of information. As many as 282,000 more in San José are identified as functioning at the "Basic" level; although able to read simple materials, they are unable to understand a map or identify the nutritional value of certain foods when reading reference information. Learn more (PDF)
Looking Ahead
Partners in Reading looks forward to the next 22 years; expanding its service to address the overwhelming need for improved reading, writing, critical thinking and computer skills. Read more (PDF)
Learn more about how you can help through donating time as a volunteer tutor or by giving financial support.
