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Frequently Asked Questions About Volunteering:

Who will I be tutoring?

Our students are adults who read below the 5th grade level, including those for whom English is a Second language (ESL). Tutors may choose to tutor a basic literacy student or to tutor a small group of ESL students.

How much time does it take to be a literacy volunteer?

We ask that tutors commit to tutoring 2 hours a week.

When and where does the tutoring take place?

Tutors and students meet in the Library's study rooms for two hours a week at a mutually agreed upon time. Tutoring takes place anytime during the Library's normal operating hours: Monday-Thursday 10:00am-9:00pm, Friday-Saturday 10:00am-6:00pm, and Sunday 1:00pm-5:00pm.

Do I need to have previous teaching experience?

No, all interested persons over 18 who can read and write English are encouraged to volunteer. Before being matched with a student, all tutors participate in a training course that prepares them for being a literacy instructor.

What must I do to become a tutor?

Contact Erin Mehling at (281)427-7331 ext. 228 or at erin.mehling@baytownlibrary.org and let her know you are interested in volunteering. Before being matched with a student, you must complete our Literacy Volunteer Training Course.

When is the next Tutor Training Course?

The 6-hour training course is offered twice a year, once in Jan/Feb and then again in Aug/Sept. It is usually held on a Saturday and breakfast and lunch are provided as well as all training materials. Contact Erin Mehling at (281)427-7331 ext. 228 or at erin.mehling@baytownlibrary.org for more information.