Adult Literacy

Volunteer Toolbox

Volunteer Documents & Forms

Recommended Resources

Most of the resources below require a library card to access. To get a library card, visit your Los Angeles Public Library Branch. 

Digital Literacy

Discovery Curso de PC - Accessible from any computer via the web, LAPL Library Card required.

PC Discovery Course offers more than 100 practical video courses in Spanish, with step-by-step instructions to master everything from the most basic to the most advanced tools on your PC.

Education Resources

California DMV Practice Tests - Get free access to practice tests for Class C, Commercial, and Motorcycle license tests from Driving-Tests.org. Practice tests are available in English, Spanish, and Russian, and the CA DMV Handbook is available to download in multiple languages.

Career Online High School - The Los Angeles Public Library has partnered with Smart Horizons to offer grants so adult learners can obtain a free high school diploma and career certificate with Career Online High School. This innovative curriculum offers the convenience of an anytime-anywhere online learning platform and interactive, engaging content that can help you achieve your educational goals.

LAUSD Adult Education, Career, and Occupational Schools – LAUSD Adult School wants to empower all learners to reach their academic, career, and civic goals. Towards that end, we pledge to remain unconditionally committed to continuing our long-held tradition of providing all Angelinos with access to our high-quality educational programs, with a focus on ensuring equity for adult learners with high barriers to employment and higher education.

Encyclopedias and Dictionaries

Britannica School (accessible from any computer via the web, LAPL Library Card required) - This digital resource is a three-part multi-subject encyclopedia with portals for elementary, middle, and high school students.

World Book Encyclopedia (accessible from any computer via the web, LAPL Library Card required) - Offers information on a range of topics.

Oxford English Dictionary (OED) (accessible from any computer via the web, LAPL Library Card required) - Online version of the multivolume Oxford English Dictionary.

Free Books to Download

Digitalia Public Library - Accessible from any computer via the web, LAPL Library Card required

Offering Spanish language e-books that can be read online or downloaded to devices, as well as language courses for Spanish, English, and "Quick Languages", a course in simple words and phrases in 12 languages. Also offers multimedia sections with art, music and PC instruction.

Libby - LAPL Library Card required, an app is available for this resource

Libby is an innovative in-browser and mobile app from OverDrive designed to make borrowing and enjoying e-books, magazines, streaming services and audiobooks from the library easier than ever. Libby is available on your browser and for Android and iOS.

Free Online Tutoring

Tutor.com (accessible from any computer via the web, LAPL Library Card required) - Free one-on-one online homework help provided by expert tutors from 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. every day. Provides assistance in English & Spanish for students in grades K-12, college intro and adult learners covering Math, Science, English, Social Studies, and Proof Point (writing review). The SkillsCenter Resource Library, available 24/7, offers worksheets, tutorials, study guides, plus an Adult Education and Career Center!

Grammar

Grammar (PDF) – Resources selected by experienced staff that can be used in a one-on-one tutoring or in a class setting.

Idioms

Idioms (PDF) – Resources selected by experienced staff that can be used in a one-on-one tutoring or in a class setting.

Language Learning

Cell-Ed (accessible from any computer via the web, LAPL Library Card required) - Gain access to English Language Learning/ESL courses, Spanish literacy for Spanish speakers with little to no reading or writing ability in Spanish and The SkillBuilder program—a series of courses in reading, writing and social studies for native English speakers preparing to take one of the high school equivalency tests, such as the HiSET or GED. All lessons provided with the aid of a cellphone.

Mango Languages (accessible from any computer via the web, LAPL Library Card required) - Free, online language-learning in languages that include Spanish, French, Italian, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Arabic, Korean, Russian, Tagalog, Greek, Latin, and more. Mango has English language courses for speakers of 19 different languages, including Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, and Russian. Access to Pimsleur's Little Pim content for children ages 0-5 is also included. Learn on the go with the Mango Mobile app for iPhone and Android.

Transparent Language Online (accessible from any computer via the web, LAPL Library Card required) - Available in 110+ languages, including ESL, Transparent Language Online gives learners the flexibility they need to learn a new language anytime, anywhere.

Lesson Planning

Lesson Planning (PDF) – Resources selected by experienced staff that can be used in a one-on-one tutoring or in a class setting.

Pronunciation

Pronunciation (PDF) – Resources selected by experienced staff that can be used in a one-on-one tutoring or in a class setting.