The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 defines literacy as “an individual’s ability to read, write, and speak in English, compute and solve problems at levels of proficiency necessary to function on the job, in the family of the individual, and in society.” As information and technology have increasingly shaped our society, the skills needed to function successfully have gone beyond reading. Literacy has come to include problem-solving and computation skills.

Although the Provo Project Read office is located in the Provo City Library, it functions independently from the Provo City Library program. We also partner with the Salt Lake County library system for tutoring and meeting space, but operate independently.

The Provo Project Read Office is located in room 215 of the Provo City Library at Academy Square. Enter the library from the front doors facing University Avenue (West side of the library) and then turn left. Our office is the third door on the left.

Our office in Salt Lake County is located at the Granite School District Adult Education office,  501 East 3900 South, Millcreek, Utah. However, many of our Salt Lake labs are held at the South Salt Lake Community Opportunity Center (Co-Op) at 2530 South 500 East, South Salt Lake, Utah.

The Provo Project Read Office is open from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm Tuesday through Thursday and 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Friday.

The Salt Lake Project Read Office is open Monday through Friday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.

Other hours are available by appointment. Unfortunately, due to limited staff availability there are times when no one can be in the office (even during the above-stated office hours). At those times, a note will be left on the door to advise patrons of when the office will reopen.

Project Read charges a $20 annual fee and a one-time $20 material fee for students. Volunteers are asked to pay the material fee in order to check out materials from the Project Read library. Textbooks can be checked out through the Project Read Office or purchased for a nominal fee. The material fee is refundable if materials are turned in in good condition and basic participating requirements are met.

Project Read does not teach English classes; however, over half of Project Read’s students are not native English speakers. Because Project Read requires a basic English speaking competency before a student can enter the program, those students who do not meet this requirement are referred to an ESL program and invited to come back and retest in six months. After acquiring a basic English speaking competency, students can enroll in Project Read.

Project Read is an adult literacy program. Project Read serves anyone age 16 and up who reads below the seventh grade level. Children are referred to a local family literacy program.

Yes, Project Read provides basic digital literacy instruction. We have classes that teach basic computer skills, basic software skills, and ways to use technology in everyday life. We also offer a 30-minute walk-in help lab to answer basic computer questions after each class.

Project Read tutors and students fill out a basic application form including contact information and a schedule of availability. Tutors and students are matched based on what times they are available.

Project Read provides individual (one-on-one) literacy tutoring services, so the “classes” are held whenever students are available for tutoring.

In addition, Project Read offers a variety of labs for students throughout the week. Please see our lab schedule for class days and times.

Students and tutors are welcome to meet in public places (upon approval from Project Read staff). Students and tutors are currently meeting in public libraries in Salt Lake County, the Provo, Orem, and American Fork libraries, BYU, Deseret Industries, and other public places.

Project Read has thousands of books in its library, which can be checked out by Project Read tutors and students. Project Read also has a computer resource center to be used by Project Read tutors and students.

First and foremost, tutors need to have the desire to spend time with and help someone. Tutors must have a high school diploma and be able to write and speak English competently. Tutors are required to complete orientation, lab and  tutor training. In addition, tutors must commit to serving six months, and be able to meet three hours per week with a student, plus any preparation and travel time.

No. Tutors must speak, read, and write in English if they are tutoring at Project Read.

Project Read offers a 4.5 hour tutor training class every other month. Tutors are required to attend the first training session after they start tutoring. Tutors are encouraged to start meeting with a student before the training class because they are able to come to training with more specific questions about their individual situation. Project Read is a one-on-one program and every situation is different, so tutors get the most out of the general training by coming with specific questions.

Project Read also provides bi-monthly skill-enhancement tutor workshops focusing on different areas of training.

Project Read has a waiting list of students who want tutors. Tutors usually meet with their student within one to two weeks of filling out an information sheet. This depends on what time the tutor is available and what students are available at the same time. 

Although tutoring is an individual project, small groups can provide service by leveling books, making games and flashcards for students and tutors to use, etc. These projects can also be done by someone who cannot commit to three hours of tutoring per week.