Corona library reports adult literacy tutoring, ESL classes and Career Online High School scholarships

Library staff presented an update on adult and family literacy programs at the Corona Public Library, including one-on-one tutoring, ESL classes, and a Career Online High School diploma program with scholarship support.

Jamie and April of the library's literacy and community engagement team described Corona Adult Literacy Services (CALS), which provides free one-on-one tutoring for English- and non-English-speaking adults to improve literacy, numeracy and digital skills.

"We currently have 26 adult learners and students. We also have 25 instructors and tutors," one presenter said. Volunteer tutors contributed more than 100 hours in January, staff reported.

The library offers year-round ESL classes and additional programming: ESL Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; citizenship preparation Mondays 3–6 p.m.; computer basics Thursdays at 10 a.m.; ESL Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:30–6:30 p.m.; and computer basics Fridays 1–3 p.m., staff said.

The Career Online High School program provides an accredited high school diploma rather than a GED and is available to residents 16 and older with scholarship support. Presenters said the program currently has nine students and five instructors; to date the library has awarded 31 full scholarships and 17 students have graduated with diplomas.

Family-literacy offerings include weekly story times for toddlers and preschoolers (attendance ranges provided), Play Cafe (a six-week caregiver-child series), a back-to-school book fair and events that pair adult learners with family activities. Staff highlighted the use of take-home literacy kits, ChromeBooks for in-house use and other materials to support learners.

Trustees praised the program numbers and the library's partnerships that allow the city to offer classes and scholarships to residents.