The Eastern Illinois University Reading Center is comprised of two primary components.

The first purpose of Reading Center is to provide services to all regularly enrolled Eastern students, freshman through graduate levels. Six clinic rooms are available for a comfortable, quiet place to study. Individualized and computer aided instruction are offered to students who wish to improve their reading and study skills. Assistance is provided on both a walk-in and appointment basis.

Classes in reading and study skills improvement, GST 1000, are offered each fall and spring semester. The grade earned contributes toward a cumulative grade point average; no credit counts towards graduation.

In addition, the Reading Center has aligned in partnership with the Gateway Program at EIU. Through this partnership, the Reading Center provides facilities for monitored study hours for students wishing to complete their study hours in a quiet, distraction-free environment.

The Reading center is also home to the Diagnostic and Remedial reading program organized to provide individualized programs for children in grades 2-7 who may not be achieving up to their full potential in reading. Clinicians who are graduate students in the Masters’ Program assess reading skill, implement needed instruction, and provide parents with a detailed report. This service is offered through the Clinical Reading Practicum, and is held on Thursday evenings in the Reading Center

Students within the College of Education and Professional Studies are encouraged to take advantage of the resources available in the Reading Center when preparing for the Illinois Test of Basic Skills and the CEPS Student Technology Proficiency Exam. Information regarding the ITBS is found in the Dean's Office on the first floor of Buzzard Building; information for the Tech Proficiency is found in the ITC also located on the first floor of Buzzard Building.

The Reading Center also acts as a communications center for the Adopt-A-Student Program, various Book Fairs throughout the school year, and the EIU Student Reading Council.