Our Program

Literacy Volunteers of Massachusetts-Quincy is a library literacy program that provides free, one-on-one tutoring in basic reading and writing to adults on the South Shore. Founded by Ann McLaughlin in 1985, LVM-Quincy is one of 13 LVM programs statewide and an accredited affiliate of the national network of Literacy Volunteers/Pro Literacy America.

• LVM-Quincy has a total of 1 full-time and 1 part-time staff, 60-65 student/tutor pairs, and two administrative volunteers. Tutors and students meet once a week for 2 hours at a mutually convenient time and place. Access to multiple sites and flexible times eases student access to services.
• Eighty percent of students are native speakers who never learned to read and write proficiently. Others are adults whose primary language is not English. They speak and understand well but never learned to read and write English.
• Curriculum of this learner-centered program is based upon the needs of the individual. Adults may work on job applications, pre-GED material, a CDL, reading to their children, or simply improving basic skills for their job.
• Volunteers are offered the opportunity to attend the Wilson Reading System 2-day overview in the fall. WRS is a structured, sequential, multisensory phonic-based reading program.
• The efforts and accomplishments of student/tutor pairs are acknowledged and celebrated at the annual recognition. Voices of Literacy, a journal of student writing, is published annually and distributed at this event. The LVM-Q News newsletter for students and tutors is published twice a year. The New Reader Collection is a browsing collection simply cataloged to ease access for those who are not strong readers.
• A 3-session basic Internet search course is offered twice a year. Students learn how to use the mouse, do an Internet search, and sign up for an e-mail address.
• LVM-Quincy is supported by the City of Quincy/Thomas Crane Public Library, Massachusetts Department of Education, library grants, foundations, private donations, and an annual fundraiser.