Flash of Brilliance: Adult Learning Pathways at LAPL

Adult literacy

City of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a citywide benefit)

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

In an interview, Paulo Freire observed, “The act of reading cannot be explained as merely reading words since every act of reading words implies a previous reading of the world and a subsequent reading of the world.”
We all have a view, and reading expands it and our ability to create within it. But in the LA region, there are 1.9 million low-literate adults who often come from already marginalized groups, including individuals who are low-income, immigrants, and from communities of color. According to national data, 33% of LA County adults lack basic literacy skills. Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)’s Adult Literacy Services are a path to supportive and easily accessible resources for low-literate individuals and English language learners 18+ to improve their ability to read, write, and understand language. LAPL has provided this bridge for more than 30 years—evolving along the way to make it as easy as possible for adults to find comprehensive literacy services when they are ready.

Many adults are eager to learn but need flexible environments tailored to their goals. LAPL’s Adult Literacy Services meets this need through free, learner-centered instruction that helps adults build confidence, pursue goals, and support their families’ learning through the following:
· 1:1 literacy tutoring tailored to learner goals for English speakers reading at or below the 6th grade level, as well as English language learners
· Drop-in literacy tutoring
· Small group classes
· Self-paced digital learning
· Family Literacy Services for parents who struggle with literacy to support their children’s literacy development
LAPL will expand digital learning options and develop new class models for English language learners. This will benefit 235 learners awaiting tutors, 148 already matched and others ready for leveled classes. Last year, adults participated in classes 14,400 times, but mixed proficiency levels and drop-in format limit effectiveness and progress tracking. LAPL will plan and pilot four leveled classes with targeted curricula in English proficiency, workforce readiness and civic engagement, as well as structured 4-10 week enrollment cycles with assessment points to ensure clear progression pathways and volunteer training. LAPL will work with Cell-Ed, a mobile platform offering self-paced literacy and job-readiness courses in English and Spanish, to develop four new digital microlesson modules on writing, library resources, public speaking, and family advocacy.

LAPL will increase access for adult Angelenos to grow through literacy instruction and services. More adults, especially those waiting to pair with a tutor, will find their place in level-appropriate classes and benefit from high-quality digital tools designed for their journeys. Volunteers will feel empowered and better equipped to make a lasting difference. We envision a vibrant network of 20 literacy centers offering services that include 1:1 tutoring, family programs, and structured, leveled instruction and managed enrollment—creating clear, supportive pathways for every adult learner. By scaling digital learning and strengthening instructional models, LAPL will help break cycles of intergenerational low literacy, boost workforce participation, improve digital equity, and nurture stronger, more connected families. The result will be a more inclusive economy and a more engaged LA—where every adult has the skills to participate fully, contribute meaningfully, and thrive.