The Library will close at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31, 2024 in observance of New Year's Eve
and will be closed on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, in observance of New Year’s Day.

Roles and Goals

“Roles and Goals” is the curriculum tutors use to help learners achieve their literacy goals. The resources below can be used to help create tutoring sessions and lesson plans.

Lifelong Learner Outcomes

Learn the alphabet, letters, and sounds:

  • Learn the alphabet, letters, and sounds (PDF) - California Library Literacy Services lesson plan.
  • Cell-Ed - Get access to English Language Learning, Spanish literacy for Spanish speakers, and a series of courses in reading, writing and social studies. Courses can be taken on a computer or a by text (library card required).

Read a book, magazine, or news:

  • Libby (Overdrive) - Select and enjoy e-books specifically curated by our staff for adult literacy learners. Libby is available on your browser and for Android and iOS (library card required).
  • Digitalia Public Library - Spanish language e-books and language courses for Spanish and English. Also offers multimedia sections with art, music, and PC instruction (library card required).
  • News for You - Online and print news source for adult learners accessible on any device. Readers build reading skills in the context of current events.
  • News in Levels - Short news articles written at different reading levels.
  • Breaking News English - English news, reading, and listening with two new lessons every week on news stories from across the world.
  • Smithsonian Tween Tribune - Leveled science and news magazine with lesson plans and Spanish-language articles.
  • The New York Times Learning Network - Classroom version of The New York Times featuring short articles, quizzes, writing prompts, and lesson plans.
  • Voice of America (VOA) Learning English -Multimedia source of news and information for millions of English learners worldwide. Audio programs and captioned videos are written using vocabulary at the intermediate and upper-beginner level. Programs are read one-third slower than typical English speed.

Write a letter, poem, story, or essay:

  • Write a note, message, or text (PDF) - California Library Literacy Services lesson plan.
  • Tutor Ready Writing - Resources for tutoring adults in writing. Resources are based on common questions from adult literacy tutors, collected research, and decades of tutoring experience.
  • Free Writing Prompts - Free creative, non-fiction, and persuasive writing prompts.

Use new technology skills:

  • Cybernauts - Trained computer aides at the library who offer technology assistance, computer support, and mobile device support.
  • LinkedIn Learning - An award-winning online learning site taught by recognized industry experts, offering more than 3,000 courses and 150,000 videos on business, technical, and creative skills. Videos, tutorials, and courses are offered in English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, Mandarin, and Portuguese (library card required).
  • DigitalLearn - Computer basics videos, in English and Spanish, on using a keyboard and mouse, introduction to email, and more. A free resource provided by the Public Library Association.
  • Discovery Curso de PC - PC Discovery Course offers more than 100 practical video courses in Spanish, with step-by-step instructions to master everything from the basic to the most advanced tools on your PC (library card required).
  • Typing Club - Learn touch typing for free.

Use the library:

Get a diploma:

  • Career Online High School - Free diploma program from the Los Angeles Public Library for adults age 19 and older who live in Los Angeles or work for the City of Los Angeles. U.S. citizenship is NOT required.
  • High School Equivalency Tests - California Department of Education. Information on different high school equivalency tests, including the GED, HiSet, and TASC.
  • GED Testing Service - Official online resource to prepare for and earn your high school equivalency diploma.
  • Peterson’s Test Prep - GED practice tests and study materials (library card required).

Improve communication skills:

Worker Outcomes

Get a job or a better job:

  • Writing a Cover Letter - Tips on writing a cover letter from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
  • Interviewing Skills - Includes videos, worksheets, and online quiz from GFC LearnFree.
  • Workplace Essential Skills - Self-paced lesson includes videos and activities from PBS LearningMedia (free account required).
  • Workforce Atlas - Free online career path resource that adult learners can use to evaluate their reading, numeracy, digital literacy, and career skills; research jobs they may like; download resume templates and interview worksheets; and more.

Apply for a job:

  • Search for a Job (PDF) - California Library Literacy Services lesson plan.
  • Completing a Job Application - A free tutorial with useful strategies for applying to jobs and standing out from the crowd of applications from GFC LearnFree.

Perform current job better:

Get a license or certificate for work:

  • Obtain a license or certificate (PDF) - California Library Literacy Services lesson plan.
  • LearningExpress Library - Online interactive practice exams covering adult basic education. GED, SAT, and other test preparation, career and civil service tests, and more (library card required).

Family Member Outcomes:

Read a book with a family member:

Help a family member with homework and studying:

  • Help a family member with homework and studying (PDF) - California Library Literacy Services lesson plan.
  • Free Online Tutoring - Connecting with an online tutor is easy and free at the library. Professionally trained and experienced tutors work online with students in grades K-12 and adult learners. The student and tutor communicate in a virtual classroom with chat and two-way white boards (library card required).
  • Take a family member to a library program (PDF) - California Library Literacy Services lesson plan.
  • Storytimes - Scheduled storytimes for all aged children at the Los Angeles Public Library.

Read a medicine label (or other health-related documents):

Improve financial skills:

  • Pay My Bills (PDF) - California Library Literacy Services lesson plan.
  • How to write a check in 5 easy steps - Written steps and video demonstration from Bankrate.com.
  • How to write a check - Illustrated guide, video and FAQ from Nerdwallet.com.
  • Consumer Information - Federal Trade Commission. Manage your money for different life events. Also available in Spanish.
  • Consumer.gov - Learn to manage your money and protect yourself from fraud from the Federal Trade Commission. Also available in Spanish.
  • MyMoney.gov - Includes curricula, lesson plans, and tip sheets for tutors from the Financial Literacy and Education Commission.

Build confidence speaking with or for my family:

Community Member/Citizen Outcomes:

Access community resources:

Get involved in the community:

Get a driver’s license:

  • Get a driver's license (PDF) - California Library Literacy Services lesson plan.
  • Driving Tests - Get free access to practice tests for Class C, Commercial, and Motorcycle license tests from Driving-Tests.org in English, Spanish, and Russian (library card required).
  • California DMV Practice Tests - Tips and practice desks from the State of California Department of Motor Vehicles.

Become a citizen:

  • Become a Citizen (PDF) - California Library Literacy Services lesson plan.
  • New Americans Services - Free services for immigrants from the Los Angeles Public Library. Appointments are available in English, Spanish, Korean, Chinese, or Persian/Farsi. You can also use this link to make an appointment to go to a New Americans Center or to talk to a service provider on the telephone.
  • Study for the Test - Before your naturalization test, use the study guide provided by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
  • Instructional Resources for Citizenship - Civics and citizenship educational resources from the Minnesota Literacy Council.
  • USCIS Educator Resources - Free resources including lesson plans, activities, flashcards, and more from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

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