Literacy Program Faces High Demand in South County

Santa Clara County Library District struggles to match volunteers with adult learners in Gilroy, Morgan Hill, and San Martin

Apr. 2, 2026 at 3:27pm

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The Santa Clara County Library District's free literacy program is experiencing a high demand for services in South County, with a waitlist of 15-20 adult learners seeking one-on-one tutoring to improve their reading and writing skills. The program, which serves adults reading below a ninth-grade level, currently has about 50 matched pairs in Gilroy, Morgan Hill, and San Martin, but the waitlist continues to grow as the program struggles to recruit enough volunteer tutors to meet the need in these smaller communities.

Why it matters

Access to literacy education is crucial for adults seeking to improve their job prospects, help their children with schoolwork, and fully participate in their communities. The imbalance between supply and demand for the literacy program's services in South County highlights the challenges faced by smaller, less populous areas in providing essential educational resources.

The details

The Santa Clara County Library District's literacy program provides free, one-on-one tutoring to adults seeking to improve their reading and writing skills. While the program has a surplus of volunteer tutors in North County cities like San Jose, Sunnyvale, and Santa Clara, the smaller communities of Gilroy, Morgan Hill, and San Martin in South County are struggling to recruit enough volunteers to meet the high demand for services. The Gilroy branch is the only location in the eight-library county system with a dedicated literacy center, where tutoring pairs can meet, access materials, and borrow books at no cost.

  • Adults seeking to join the program in South County are currently waiting up to six months to be matched with a volunteer tutor.
  • The literacy program currently serves about 50 matched pairs in Gilroy, Morgan Hill, and San Martin, with a waitlist of 15-20 people who have completed their assessments and are ready to begin.

The players

Diana Lara

The literacy program manager for the Santa Clara County Library District.

Elie Teixeira

A retired teacher and educational administrator who began volunteering at the Gilroy Library's literacy program about eight months ago.

Emilio Nuñez

An English learner who found the literacy program through a flyer at the Morgan Hill Library and has seen significant improvements in his reading and communication skills.

Dominga Casas

A learner in the literacy program who waited roughly four months to be matched with a tutor and has since gained a new world of vocabulary and professional opportunities.

Fiona Warner

A volunteer tutor who has worked with the program for six years and tutors Emilio Nuñez.

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What they’re saying

“We have a high need here, with many learners on the waiting list, and we're working hard to match them with available volunteers.”

— Diana Lara, Literacy program manager

“This is where volunteer tutors gather with adult learners who seek to improve their literacy skills and open themselves up to new opportunities.”

— Elie Teixeira, Volunteer tutor

“If you don't have those skills, how can you be more resourceful to your community? How can you grow if you can't communicate?”

— Emilio Nuñez, Literacy program learner

“English opens doors. I've gained a whole new world of vocabulary. I'm very happy with this program.”

— Dominga Casas, Literacy program learner

“Reading is essential. Being able to speak English in an English-speaking country is essential just for everyday tasks. I have the time, and it matters.”

— Fiona Warner, Volunteer tutor

What’s next

To manage the waitlist in the interim, staff have begun grouping assessed learners at similar skill levels into small-group tutoring sessions to help get them started while waiting to be matched with a one-on-one tutor. Virtual tutoring is also available for those who cannot meet in person.

The takeaway

The high demand for literacy services in South County highlights the importance of accessible educational resources for adults, especially in smaller communities. The program's efforts to expand tutoring options, such as small-group sessions and virtual lessons, demonstrate its commitment to serving the needs of the local population and overcoming geographic challenges.