This final performance report compares the goals and actual accomplishments of a project focused on establishing a basic, cooperative literary collection, with the specific goal of improving availability of and access to literacy materials for literacy providers and students. The project included coalition building, public awareness, basic…

A project established a lending library of literacy materials for Tri-County Opportunities Industrialization Center, Inc. (OIC) students who attended classes at over 20 satellite locations in Dauphin and Perry Counties, Pennsylvania. A student survey determined the types of materials of most interest. Results were compiled into categories such as:…

Paradoxically, for reasons both philosophical and practical, public libraries are uniquely positioned to assist the 72 million Americans who, by virtue of being illiterate or marginally literate, are not ordinarily library users. A formal link between libraries and literacy can be traced back to the 1920s when the American Library Association…

This handbook is designed to provide a comprehensive reference source about adult illiteracy for Michigan public librarians, whether or not they currently work with local literacy councils. Introductory material provides listings of members of the Michigan State Legislative Council and Library of Michigan Board of Trustees, and a listing of the…

The purpose of the Calcasieu Parish (Louisiana) literacy project was twofold: (1) to pool the resources of the existing local adult education agencies in the area; and (2) to perpetuate the advancement of literacy in the area by bringing together adult education students, qualified volunteer tutors, and needed adult education materials in an…

Designed to provide a comprehensive literacy reference for public libraries, this handbook presents a glossary of terms, background information on functional literacy, and brief reviews of 14 additional topics: (1) literacy statistics; (2) adult performance levels; (3) the problem of adult education; (4) illiteracy generates itself; (5) about…

Presents an overview of literacy awareness since the 1985 publication of Jonathan Kozol's "The Illiterate American." The need for a highly technological workforce is explored and suggestions are made for the role of libraries in literacy training. A list of sources for literacy materials is appended. (16 references) (EAM)

Grant funding enabled the Adams County Public Library (ACPL) in Colorado to hire permanent staff; build collections of library materials for literacy students, tutors, and the general public; provide workbooks to students at no cost; and expand the scope and effectiveness of the literacy program by enabling the development of collections of…

This report contains general comments, objectives, budget, activities, 120 titles and descriptions of the adult new readers' collection, and program design of the library literacy program of the North Austin Branch (Chicago, Illinois). The program description explains how three objectives were met: (1) establishing a collection of basic…

The 12th biennial report of the Vermont State Library, statistics of local libraries, and a directory of libraries in Vermont are presented. In the 1990-92 biennium, library services in Vermont were redefined by budget constraints and by changes in information, formats, and society. The Vermont Automated Libraries System (VALS), clearer public…

This final performance report for the Alameda County (California) ESOL (English as a Second Language) project begins with a section that provides quantitative data. The next section compares actual accomplishments to the following project goals: (1) survey programs, including library collections, adult schools, and community colleges, to gain…

This book promotes a library-based curriculum for teaching reading and suggests a wide variety of books to use with new readers. It provides an outline of basic skills that literacy students must master to become good readers. It also suggests numerous skill-building activities for teachers to develop using the words and ideas derived from…

Designed to help librarians and trustees make informed planning decisions concerning the development or improvement of library literacy services, this manual discusses the following topics: (1) the problem of illiteracy; (2) identifying adult new learners; (3) providers of literacy services; (4) the library's role in literacy activities; (5)…

The Cuyahoga County Public Library (Parma, Ohio) conducted a project that involved recruitment, coalition building, public awareness, training, collection development, and intergenerational/family programs. The program, Bringing Up Readers: Family Literacy Program, was successful in encouraging and promoting family reading, community cooperation,…

Describes Alpha Ontario, an adult literacy center located in Toronto. Highlights include a historical background; collection development; adult basic education; marginalized or minority groups within the literacy movement; cataloging issues, including subject headings, classification, and language; public services, including outreach programs and…