Ruth G. Hardman Adult Literacy Service

Our address is 2901 S. Harvard Ave, Suite A, Tulsa OK 74114 (click for a map). We are in the Literacy, Outreach & Volunteer Services building. We are on the east side of Harvard, across from Fellowship Congregational Church. We are on the south side of 29th Street, across from the empty lot. Turn east onto 29th Street from Harvard and park in the parking lot. 

The Literacy program matches adult learners with volunteers from the community who work one on one as literacy tutors. This model allows us to provide a high degree of personalized support that would not be possible in a classroom setting. We provide free tutor training and ongoing support for both tutors and learners for the duration of their involvement in the program. 

Anyone in Tulsa County who wants support in building their literacy skills can qualify for the program. Learners must be at least 16 years old and be willing to participate in a background check.* English Language Learners must have enough basic English to allow for communication with the Literacy office and their tutor; we are not currently equipped to work with learners who have zero English.

Very broadly, we serve two categories of learners: English Language Learners, or "ELLs," and "adult basic" learners, whose first language is English. Within those two categories, people may be starting the program with a very wide range of skills and abilities. Because we serve such a variety of people, there is no "typical" learner. Everyone is unique, and every tutor/learner pair experience will be unique. This is part of what makes our program great!

The recommended minimum tutoring commitment is one hour, once a week for a year. Most pairs meet for tutoring sessions at one of TCCL's branch locations, but some choose to meet at coffee shops, book stores or other public locations. Some sessions may take place "in the real world," where pairs may decide to meet at a grocery store in order to practice reading nutrition labels, using coupons, shopping from a grocery list, etc.

We do not have a standard curriculum or approach due to the wide variety of people we serve. Instead, we assess each learner's needs and abilities individually as they enter the program. When matching tutors and learners, we consider factors such as location, schedules and availability, and any special needs or specific requests made by either the tutor or learner. 

After making a match, Literacy staff works closely with each pair to develop a plan of action that supports the learner's specific literacy goals. The learner's goals are always the driving force in the support they receive- that's why we refer to ourselves as a "learner-centered" program. After meeting for approximately a year, learners will take a reassessment with literacy staff in order to gauge progress. Some program participants choose to leave after a year, and some stay for much longer! 

* In order to prioritize the safety and well-being of program participants, all tutors and learners must participate in a background check. A flagged background check in itself does not preclude anyone from participating, and formerly incarcerated people are encouraged to apply.

Step 1: Contact the Literacy Office

First, contact the Literacy office at 918-549-7400 or literacy@tulsalibrary.org. We will make an appointment for you to come in and take an assessment. In order for you to join the program, we need to ask you some questions and see what kind of help you might need.                

Our address is 2901 S. Harvard Ave, Suite A, Tulsa OK 74114 (click for a map). We are in the Literacy, Outreach & Volunteer Services building. We are on the east side of Harvard, across from Fellowship Congregational Church. We are on the south side of 29th Street, across from the empty lot. Turn east onto 29th Street from Harvard and park in the parking lot. 

Step 2: Get an Assessment

After you contact the office, we will set up an appointment for you to come in and take an assessment. The assessment is kind of like a test, but there's no way to fail! It just gives us information so we know how to best help you. A literacy staff member or volunteer will give you the assessment. They will explain the process and you can ask them any questions you might have. 

Assessments can take an hour or two, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time. We don't want you to feel rushed. During the assessment, we will ask you lots of questions. Will we ask you to read and write some words. We will ask you about your goals and how we might best be able to help you. The assessment also gives us a better idea of what kind of tutor you might want. 

Step 3: Have your Orientation

The next step is to get an orientation. This will be another appointment at the Literacy office. During the orientation, you will learn more about the literacy program and how it works. You will learn about your rights as a literacy learner. YOU are in charge of your literacy goals, and we are here to support you however we can. During the orientation, you will learn a lot and you can ask any questions that you have.

Step 4: Wait for a Match

After your orientation, we will start looking for a tutor to match you with! You may have to wait a while before you get a tutor. This can be frustrating, but the Literacy office can tell you about other programs and resources you may want to use while you wait for a tutor. Even if you don't have a tutor yet, we can help you start learning right away.

Step 5: Start Meeting with Your Tutor

When we find a good match for you, you will hear from either your tutor or from the Literacy office. We will set up your FIRST MEETING with your new tutor! Your first meeting will also happen at the Literacy office. Literacy staff will introduce you to your new tutor. They may also give you and your tutor some books or worksheets and some ideas on how to get started. Your tutor will be excited to meet you!

After the first meeting, you and your tutor will decide where and when to meet. Most of our tutors and learners meet once a week, for one hour. Some may meet for a little longer. Most of them meet at a library that is close to where they live. We want you to meet where you are comfortable.

If you are not happy with your tutor, we want you to tell us. Sometimes a match doesn't work out, and that's ok. If you aren't happy with your tutor or you don't feel comfortable with them for any reason, please let the literacy office know so we can find you a different tutor. This happens sometimes. The most important thing is that everyone is comfortable and happy.

The Rest is Up to You!

We ask everyone to commit to meeting for at least one hour, once a week, for one year. After you've been meeting with your tutor for about a year, we will let you know that it's time for a reassessment appointment. This will help us (and you!) to see where you've made progress. If, after a year, you and your tutor decide to keep meeting, that's great! If you decide to continue and your tutor doesn't, we will match you with another tutor. If you feel that you've gotten all the help you needed, that's fine too. You may want to become a literacy tutor and help someone else! It's up to you.

Prospective tutors must be at least 18 years old, have obtained the equivalent of a high school education, and be fluent in English. Everyone entering the program must participate in a background check (though a flagged check in itself doesn't necessarily preclude anyone from participating). We ask for a minimum commitment of one hour per week for one year. Some tutors choose to leave the program after a year, and some choose to stay for much longer!

Anyone interested in becoming a Literacy tutor should first fill out this initial inquiry form. After completing the form, you will be contacted by a member of Literacy staff set up an in-person interview. The interview is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the program and to ask any questions you might have. 

Once accepted to the program, prospective tutors will participate in a preliminary training before being matched with a learner. Tutors and learners have access to ongoing support from the Literacy office for the duration of their involvement of the program.

Successful literacy tutors will have:

• Patience
• Empathy
• Curiosity
• Respect for other cultures, beliefs, identities, lifestyles and backgrounds
• A collaborative mindset
• A desire to connect with and learn from people with backgrounds, cultures, life experiences or beliefs that may be radically different from one's own
• & last but not least... a sense of humor!

Here are some things that, while potentially helpful, are NOT required to be a literacy tutor:

• The ability to speak another language besides English
• Previous experience tutoring or teaching

We will provide you with the tools, resources and support needed to become a successful Literacy tutor! If you have additional questions about tutoring or want to learn more about the program, please contact the office or check our calendar for an upcoming Open House.

Conversation Circles are a safe and inclusive space where English Language Learners of all levels can come to practice their English. Anyone can join; you do not have to be a member of the literacy program. Conversation Circles are held twice a week, once on Zoom and once in person at Hardesty Regional Library. 

• In person: At the Hardesty Regional Library | Every Tuesday at 4:00p.m. - 5:30p.m. | No preregistration required.

• Virtually: On Zoom | Every Wednesday at 12:00p.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Register HERE to get the Zoom link before the class begins.

  

***PLEASE NOTE: WE DO NOT CURRENTLY HAVE ANY SEATS AVAILABLE IN THE EXCEL PROGRAM AND ARE NOT ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS AT THIS TIME. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE UPDATES ON POTENTIAL FUTURE OPENINGS IN THE EXCEL PROGRAM, PLEASE EMAIL THE LITERACY OFFICE AT LITERACY@TULSALIBRARY.ORG***

Excel Online High School is a free, asynchronous online program facilitated by the Literacy office and funded through a grant from the Oklahoma Department of Libraries. The Excel program is designed for adults who want to complete their high school education and receive a fully-accredited high school diploma.