Resources

OC READ Literacy Collection at OCPL

More than 500 new adult literacy books have been added to the regular OC Public Libraries circulating collection!

Unlike the materials in the literacy centers (which are still available for tutors and learners to check out via the “honors system”) these new titles are part of the regular OC Public Libraries catalog. That means they can be searched, checked out, requested, or reserved just like any other book in the library!

To find books in the literacy collection, go the OCPL catalog and search for OC Read in the search field to browse. Narrow your search by using the “Limit Search Results” function on the left-hand side.

Featured Resources

Coursera

World-class, transformative online learning with over 5,000 courses taught by 200 Industry and University Partners including Duke University, UC Irvine, Google, and Salesforce.

GetSetUp

GetSetUp offers over 500 live classes taught by peers who are experts in their field.. The classes cover technology, physical health, mental health, social health, and vocational health. Classes are taught in English, Spanish, Hindi, and Mandarin.

Learning Express Library Complete

Powerful tools and guidance to achieve your career goals. Video courses to learn popular software and computer basics.

LinkedIn Learning

More than 17,000 video tutorials in Business, Technology, and Creative Arts. Available in 7 languages. Use on your computer or mobile device. Download the App and use “ocpublic” for LibraryID.

Northstar Digital Literacy

Interested in improving your basic computer skills? Northstar Digital Literacy can help with that. Take the online assessment and study at your own pace.

Skillshare

Build your professional skills with Skillshare! Through OCPL, you have 3 free months of Skillshare access. Classes are taught by professionals and cover many different fields.

Reading & Writing

The Change Agent

The Change Agent is a biannual magazine with articles written by adult literacy learners. Each article includes the option for audio playback. Ask your literacy coordinator for the username and password for access and information on how to submit articles.

CommonLit

CommonLit’s library includes online books and short stories that can be filtered by genre, grade levels 3-12, and theme. Activities are included with each story and range from guiding questions, assessment questions, and discussion prompts. No account is needed to use CommonLit.

Newsela

Read current news articles at the complexity that is just right for you! Newsela allows learners to adjust the reading difficulty of news articles from major newspapers. Articles come with reading comprehension activities like writing prompts and quizzes. A free account is needed to use Newsela.

News for You

News for You is a weekly newspaper for adult literacy students. Each article includes the option for audio playback and a weekly teacher’s guide with access to exercises, vocabulary, a crossword puzzle, and a word search. Ask OC Read staff for the website password.

OC Read's Adult Learner OverDrive Collection

A collection of ebooks written specifically for adult learners. Titles can be borrowed using your OC Public Libraries library card.

Southwest ABE: Reading Skills for Today’s Adults

Southwest ABE is a database of short readings organized by reading level. It includes reading comprehension questions for each passage, options for audio playback at different speeds, and a timer for fluency practice.

Career & Job Readiness

Brainfuse JobNow & VetNow

Brainfuse JobNow & VetNow features live online assistance, resume lab help, and wide range of academic tools to help job seekers and veterans reach their goals.

Career Online High School

Ready to take that next step? It’s never too late to graduate! OC Public Libraries offers individuals the opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma through Career Online High School.

Job Seeker Toolkit

Tips and resources to help you in all steps of the job seeking process.

Job Seeker Resources

Locations of One-Stop Centers, Veterans Reemployment Office, Joint Forces Training Base and Workforce Centers in Orange County. Check out the Mobile Unit for employment and workforce development services in your area.

Citizenship

Citizenship Information

OC Public Libraries' guide for becoming a US Citizen. Prepared by library staff for Orange County residents.

Civics and Citizenship Toolkit

This kit contains educational materials to help you learn more about the United States and prepare for the naturalization process. Toolkits are available to borrow through the library. Contact OC Read if you would like help placing a hold.

USA Learns

Learn the information and English language you need to become a U.S. citizen with USA Learns! Learners will need to sign up for a free account to get started.

Computers & Technology

GCFLearnFree.org - Digital Literacy

GCFLearnFree.org offers free, online tutorials and activities to improve your digital skills. This includes typing, Microsoft Office programs, Google Suite, searching the internet, using computers, and more.

Mousing Around

This tutorial provides beginning mouse-users with step-by-step learning and practice. Follow along with the tutorial, and then refine your skills with the Mousercise activity.

TypingClub

TypingClub is a free, online game to learn how to type. Keep practicing each lesson until you get all five stars. It really doesn't take much to learn, a few minutes a day for one to two weeks and you will be a pro!

Videos

The Change Agent Teaching Tips

These 7- to 15-minute video clips will help you teach standards-based skills, such as finding the main idea and teaching mechanics in writing, using The Change Agent.

Tutor Ready Reading

Tutor Ready Reading videos demonstrate reading strategies in the areas of four components of reading: alphabetics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

Tutor Ready Writing

Tutor Ready Writing videos focus on the writing process, pre-writing, getting ideas on the page, writing for everyday purposes, working on mechanics like grammar and spelling, responding to writing, editing, revising, assessing writing progress, and using learner-generated texts.

Worksheets & Games

Freerice.com

Freerice is an educational trivia game that helps you learn new words while making a difference for people around the world. Freerice is perfect for learners who want to work on their vocabulary.

Merriam Webster Word Games

Merriam Webster offers word games and quizzes that can help learners practice their vocabulary and spelling.

Puzzlemaker

Puzzlemaker by Discovery Education, is a puzzle generation tool with the ability to create and print customized word searches and crosswords using your own word lists.

Quizlet

Quizlet offers both user-generated and customizable flashcards and games on a variety of subjects. Flashcard sets can be used to test vocabulary, writing, spelling, multiple choice tests and games using those words. Flashcards can be shared via email or text.

Teach Your Monster to Read

Teach Your Monster to Read is a fun, interactive game for anyone who wants to practice their letters, sounds, and reading full sentences. The computer version is free. Learners must sign up for an account to play. Check out the Classroom Toolkit for more phonics and reading resources!

Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary.com is a multimedia online dictionary that includes adaptive learning games and activities that improves vocabulary by focusing on comprehension and review, not memorization. Definitions are learner friendly. Sign up for a free account.

Other Helpful Websites

Proliteracy Workforce Atlas

Proliteracy Workforce Atlas provides a series of self-tests on literacy, numeracy, and workplace skills to direct learners to recommended occupations, online resources, and local providers that can help them achieve their professional goals. Sign up for a free account to access assessments.

Rewordify

Rewordify is an online tool that simplifies English sentences into more easy-to-understand text. Learners can input entire chapters or web page URLs. Words that have been simplified are highlighted in yellow. Rewordify is free to use without creating an account.

TeachingBooks

Resources about fiction and nonfiction books. Browse author interviews, lesson plans, discussion guides, videos, audio readings, and more.