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Become a Volunteer

Teaching adults to read and write would not be possible without volunteers like you. No prior teaching experience is required. We provide free introductory online training and on-going additional support. OC Read’s goal is to help you succeed and provide a meaningful volunteering experience.  

OC Read offers different volunteer positions, with different responsibilities and time commitments. Please see the To Get Involved section at the bottom of this page for the latest status of volunteer opportunities. 

 

OC Read Volunteer Position Descriptions

One-on-One Tutoring

One-on-One tutors are trained and then matched with an adult learner who has specific reading or writing goals. Tutors coach a minimum of 2 hours per week at the library or virtually, using provided curricula.

OC Read One-on-One tutors are:   

  • 18 years of age or older.
  • Willing to try new things and think outside the box.
  • Regularly able to commit a minimum of 2 hours a week to tutoring time, plus lesson prep time, for at least 1 year.
  • Must check email regularly, and have or be willing to learn basic computer skills. 

Tutors are matched with learners based on availability and geographic location. Tutoring takes place at your nearest OC Public Libraries branch. For a list of all branches, visit ocpl.org/libraries.

 

Walk-in Tutoring

Walk-in tutors assist adult learners one-on-one for 20 minutes each during a two-hour volunteer shift. Walk-in tutors help learners on a first-come, first-served basis on the topic of their choice. This can include, but is not limited to, mail, reading passages, job applications, or conversations in which tutors gently and actively correct grammar, sentence structure, and/or assist with pronunciation. Learners may bring in their own material or use library and OC Read resources. Walk-in tutors assist learners in person at a library.  

OC Read Walk-in tutors are:   

  • 18 years of age or older.
  • Reliable, patient, compassionate, and have a positive attitude.
  • Able to commit to volunteering for two hours (1 shift) per month. 
  • Must check email regularly, and have or be willing to learn, basic computer skills. 

Walk-in tutoring is held at the Tustin Library, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays from 10 AM to 2 PM.

 

To Get Involved

Recruiting

OC Read is currently enrolling a small number of volunteers, depending on their interest, level of potential commitment, and location. Please see the list below for details. 

One-on-One Volunteering: Fullerton Library. Mondays or Wednesdays between 1 PM - 4 PM. (1 learner available)

Walk-in Tutoring Volunteering: Tustin Library. Wednesdays 12 PM - 2 PM, and Saturdays 10 AM - 12 PM or 12 PM - 2 PM. (Limited spaces available)

WIN Program: Closed. 

 

Volunteer Training

All OC Read volunteers must complete online training held periodically throughout the year. Training is held on Zoom. Please see the status list above to check if OC Read is recruiting.

Many of our sister programs are actively looking for more hands to help! 

Newport Beach https://www.newportbeachlibrary.org/services/literacy-services

Placentia https://www.placentialibrary.org/literacy

Long Beach https://www.longbeach.gov/library/learn/lb-reads/

Huntington Beach https://huntingtonbeachca.gov/Government/Departments/Library/literacy_programs/adult_literacy_program.cfm

FAQ

Yes. Any personal information shared with OC Read is kept confidential. 

No teaching experience or special degrees are needed to become a volunteer. OC Read provides free introductory online training and ongoing additional support. Visit the Tutors page for more information.

One-on-One Tutoring
Tutors and learners meet at their local OC Public Libraries branch for 2 hours per week. 

Walk-in Tutoring
Currently, Walk-in services are only available at the Tustin Library on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays between the hours of 10 AM - 2 PM. No registration is required. The Tustin Library is located at 345 E Main Street, Tustin CA 92780. 

Though OC Read strives to serve the English Language Learner (ELL) community to the fullest extent possible, One-on-One tutors do not have the training to effectively assist ELL adults who want to work on their English (listening, speaking, reading, writing). 

OC Read Walk-in Tutoring, however, may be beneficial for ELLs who have specific literacy questions.

If you or someone you know would like to learn English, OC Read can help connect you with low cost/no cost ESL programs within Orange County. Please contact the office at readoc@occr.ocgov.com or (714) 566-3070 for personalized assistance.