Library
Fernhill Branch Library
18 Larkin Street, Saint John
- Mon to Thu
- 10 am to 8 pm
- Saturday
- 10 am to 2 pm
Getting in
- Step-free entrance from the parking lot
- Elevator to the study rooms on the second floor
- Accessible washroom on the main floor
Saint John · free for adults
Learn to read, write and do everyday math, one to one.
We match you with a trained volunteer tutor. You meet once or twice a week at the library or a community centre. It costs nothing, and it stays between the two of you.
Rather talk? Call (555) 555-0159
For learners
You can start at any level.
Lots of adults find reading, writing or numbers hard. Maybe school didn't go well. Maybe you left early to work. Maybe no one ever had the time. None of that matters here.
You bring what you want to work on. Your tutor helps you get there, at your pace.
It's free. No fees. You never pay for books or paper.
It's private. Only your tutor and our coordinator know you come.
What you can work on
Reading
Mail, signs, a recipe, a story with your kids.
Writing
A note, a text, an email, a cover letter.
Everyday math
Money, bills, measuring, telling time.
Forms
Health card, bank, school and job forms.
An exam
Getting ready for a GED-style high school test.
Your driver's test
The handbook and the written knowledge test.
About 30 minutes
How your first meeting goes
You meet our coordinator, Maureen, at the library or the community centre. There is no test and nothing to fill in alone. She asks what you want to work on, which days suit you, and where you'd like to meet. You can bring a friend. Then she finds a tutor who fits.
How it works
Three steps to your first session
Call or write to us
Phone (555) 555-0159, or fill in the short form below. A name and a phone number is enough.
Meet the coordinator
A short, friendly chat in person. No test. We just get to know what you need.
Start with your tutor
Same tutor, same place, once or twice a week. About an hour each time.
Where and when
Two quiet places to meet
Sessions happen in study rooms in two public buildings. People come and go all day, so no one needs to know why you're there.
Community centre
Lowhill Community Centre
220 Tamarack Road, Saint John
- Wednesday
- 1 pm to 4 pm
- Tue and Thu
- 6 pm to 9 pm
Getting in
- Ramp at the side door, next to the bike rack
- Every room is on one floor
- Free parking, and a bus stop out front
Can't get to either one? Tell us. We'll try to find a time and place that works for you.
For volunteer tutors
You don't need to be a teacher. You need to show up.
Our tutors come from all walks of life. What they share is patience, a steady week, and the sense to keep things private.
What it takes
- Be 18 or older, and read and write English with ease.
- Give about an hour, once or twice a week, for at least six months.
- Be patient and kind, and keep what you hear to yourself.
- Agree to a vulnerable sector police check. We help you arrange it.
Training first
Two Saturday mornings at the library before you're matched. You learn how adults learn to read and how to plan a session.
Then, support
Our coordinator checks in with you each month. You can ask for help or new materials any time.
What we don't do, and who does
We don't teach
English as a second language
Try instead: the newcomer centre in uptown Saint John runs English classes for every level. Call us and we'll give you their number.
We don't tutor
Children and teens
Try instead: your child's school. Ask the teacher about reading help and the school district's after-school programs. We work only with adults, 18 and over.
Give
Help keep it free
Harbourlight runs on volunteers and on gifts from people in Saint John. Gifts pay for workbooks, tutor training and room bookings.
Give money
- By cheque. Mail it to us at the library address below.
- By e-transfer. We'll send you the details.
- In person. At either location, during open hours.
Nothing is charged on this website. Pick “Give” in the form below to tell us what you'd like to give, and we'll be in touch with the details. Ask us about receipts.
Make a pledge
Give books and notebooks
We gladly take new notebooks, pencils and easy-to-read books for adults in good shape. Please no textbooks or encyclopedias. Drop them at the library desk, marked “Harbourlight”.
Is it really free?
Yes. Sessions, books and paper cost nothing. We are run by volunteers and paid for by gifts.
Will anyone find out I come?
Only you, your tutor and our coordinator know. We never call your work or your family. If you'd rather we didn't leave voicemails, just say so.
Do I have to take a test?
No. There is no test to start and there are no grades. Your tutor may ask you to read a little, only to know where to begin.
This page is hard for me to read. What do I do?
Call us at (555) 555-0159. We'll go through it all with you on the phone. A friend or family member can also call for you.
How long until I have a tutor?
It depends on the days and the place that suit you. The coordinator will give you an idea at your first meeting and keep you posted.
Can I learn online or on the phone?
Sessions are in person, at the library or the community centre. If that's hard for you, tell us and we'll see what we can do.
Can I take a break or stop?
Yes, any time. Tell your tutor or the coordinator. You're welcome back whenever you're ready.
Are the tutors paid?
No. Every tutor is a volunteer who chose to be there.
Can I get a receipt for a gift?
Ask us about receipts when you give, and we'll explain what we can offer.