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Corona adult-literacy program reports tutoring, classes and career-online high-school scholarships
Summary
Library staff reported 26 adult learners in one-on-one tutoring, 68 students in adult classes, and 31 scholarships awarded for a career online high school program; staff described ESL, citizenship and computer classes and family-literacy programming.
Jamie and April of the library's literacy and community engagement team described adult and family literacy services the library provides.
Jamie said the Corona Adult Literacy Services (CALS) provides free one-on-one tutoring for English and non-English-speaking adults, with volunteer tutors donating more than 100 hours per month. "We currently have 26 adult learners and students. We also have 25 instructors and tutors," Jamie said, noting volunteers contributed 106 hours in January.
Staff listed regularly scheduled adult classes: ESL on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; citizenship preparation Mondays from 3 to 6 p.m.; computer basics Thursdays at 10 a.m.; and additional ESL sessions Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. The library also partners with Corona-Norco Unified School District adult education for instructor staffing.
The board heard that the career online high school program grants full scholarships for eligible residents. Jamie said the program awards a high school diploma, not a GED: "They get their high school diploma and not just a GED," she said. The library reported nine current students in that program, 31 full scholarships awarded to date and 17 graduates with diplomas.
April summarized family literacy programs and attendance: regular toddler and preschool story times (attendance ranges given as 90–130 for toddlers and 15–22 for preschool), themed story times drawing 150–200 attendees, a six-week Play Cafe for caregivers of children ages 0–5 with take-home kits and free books for consistent attendance, and targeted events such as a back-to-school book fair that served about 75 children and families.
Ending: Trustees praised the literacy numbers and programming; staff said summer and quarterly offerings—shorter class sessions and family events—had strong enrollment and the library will continue partnering with adult-education instructors and community organizations.
