BALit (Bay Area Literacy) serves adults in the Bay Area who choose to improve their reading and writing skills. BALit’s 25 member programs are located in libraries from Mendocino County to Santa Clara County. Each year these programs serve some 6,500 adults, helping them to achieve their goals and expand their opportunities.

Library-based literacy programs offer free, individualized and confidential tutoring with trained volunteer tutors from the community. Learners gain the skills they need to read to their children, complete job applications, pass the driver’s test, write a birthday card and achieve whatever goals they have set for themselves. Tutors are amazed by what they learn from their partners.

Many programs also offer computer-based instruction, family and workplace literacy programs and tutoring for incarcerated adults. They also provide support groups for tutors and learners.

Find A Program Bay Area Literacy programs offer one-on-one tutoring and class-based instruction for adults who want to improve their basic reading and writing skills. These services are FREE and confidential. Programs are learner-centered –you set the pace and work on the reading and writing goals that are most important to you. There is no pressure, just a supportive environment for learning at your own speed. You, the volunteer tutor, and literacy program staff are a team. You can expect mutual respect and a positive learning experience. If you are interested in becoming an adult learner, know someone who would like to be a learner, or would just like more information, click on the map to find programs in your region of the bay area. Need help with your reading and writing skills? Click on your area on the map.