Centers for Reading and Writing

The Centers for Reading and Writing help adults who have difficulties reading and writing to actualize their goals and improve their communication skills in a student-centered environment.The Centers are welcoming, neighborhood settings which serve as a first point of contact with library services for a culturally diverse population.

In addition to the Centers for Reading and Writing, the Library offers free classes in English for speakers of other languages at 20 branches of The New York Public Library.

The Centers provide instruction in small groups, facilitated by volunteer tutors who are recruited, trained and supported by professional staff members. Supporting this community of learners is an accessible, high-interest collection of books and multimedia technology, which encourage and enhance independent learning.

The Centers view outreach to new students, tutors, other literacy providers and social service agencies as an integral aspect of its ongoing work. Students from other basic education and English-language programs are invited to use the Centers.

The Centers also loan large collections of books to adult literacy and English-language community-based programs around the city.

Features of the library's literacy program include:

  • Small group tutoring using volunteers
  • Computer assisted instruction
  • Publication of student writings in Writer's Voices
  • Lifelong Learning Collections
  • Families United with Books
  • Book collections with a multicultural emphasis for adult new readers
  • Enrichment activities: author presentations, African-American and Women's History Month celebrations, visits to museums, and programs on life skills, parenting and health
  • Classroom collections available for extended loan to Literacy Educators

The Library's Literacy Program is funded by the Office of the Mayor as part of the New York City Adult Literacy Initiative, The Wallace Reader's Digest Library Literacy Initiative, The Carnegie Corporation of New York and The New York State Coordinated Outreach Services Grant.

For more information contact the Office of Community Outreach Services, 455 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016-0122. (212) 340-0918.