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OC Read
Literacy division of OC Public Libraries
It's never too late to learn how to read.
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Since 1991, OC Read has offered adult literacy tutoring and programming for Orange County residents seeking to improve their reading, writing, or English literacy skills. OC Read services are available for non-ESL and ESL learners 16 years of age or older.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, visit the Tutors page to see current volunteer descriptions and opportunities.
For more information about how to enroll as a learner, visit the Learners page, call 714-566-3070, or email readoc@occr.ocgov.com.
Why Literacy Matters
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59 million adults in the U.S. have literacy skills at or below a PIAAC Level 1—the lowest level. For perspective, there are roughly 260-275 million adults in the U.S. This means about 21% read at or below Level 1. Proficiency is considered Level 3, the equivalent of 7th-8th grade reading skills.
- 1 in 4 adults in Orange County read below the 8th grade level
- 16% of adults in Orange County do not have a high school diploma
- Children of parents with low literacy skills have a 72% chance of being at the lowest reading levels
- Increasing a person's literacy skills to Level 2 makes it 50% less likely they will live in poverty
PIAAC measures, analyzes, and compares adults’ foundational skills of literacy. It considers cognitive and workplace skills needed to participate in society and for economies to prosper.
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OC Read Day is one of the many programs we offer to support family literacy development.
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Adult Literacy Services
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OC Read offers literacy tutoring and support through the Reading and Walk-in Tutoring programs and workshops. These services cover a range of literacy skill development for both native and non-native English speakers. Visit the Learners page for more information.
Family Literacy Services
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Family Literacy Services provides educational programs for learners and their family members of all ages. These programs create practical, real-world literacy learning experiences. Visit the Learners page for further details.
ESL Referrals
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OC Read offers personalized assistance locating low-cost and no-cost programs throughout the county. Patrons seeking referral services should call or email OC Read.
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Explore the OC Read website to learn more about literacy services. Or call 714-566-3070 to speak with a librarian. The office can be reached Monday through Saturday during library business hours.
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Visit the Tutors page to learn about the volunteer requirements and opportunities available through OC Read.
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Yes. We have tutoring for both ESL and non-ESL learners. Visit the Learners page or call 714-566-3070 for more information.
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No, tutoring is only for adults. However, some of our family literacy programs may be helpful for children struggling with reading. We also can help parents and caregivers get started with BrainFuse HelpNow, a free, live, online tutoring service offered through the library which can help children with any school subject, including reading. Call or email us for assistance.
📧 Email: readoc@occr.ocgov.com
📞 Call: 714-566-3070
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All services and programming are free.
