Regional conferences on the Right to Read Effort were held with the purpose of having reading specialists address librarians concerning the peoples' right to read. One paper of this volume surveys reading in America, outlines problems of extending the right to read to all, and indicates possible means of action. Another entry views the library as…

This examination of library involvement in adult literacy programs argues that public libraries had their roots in widespread concern for literacy in the 17th century and traces the development of such programs to the present. Changing definitions of literacy are summarized, and current issues in adult library services are discussed. (EM)

Describes how an educational broker accomplishes the task of successfully matching educational resources with the needs of his adult education customer: the role of the educational broker, establishment of his database, accessing the data, publicizing the center, delivery of service, and the library's role/responsibility. (Author/JD)

Before specific role of the public library in eradicating illiteracy can be determined, each library must determine the extent of the problem in its community; determine what is already being done; and analyze the library's resources. Specific involvement and goals must be determined for services to teachers and students. (EJS)

The four speeches which were given at this one-day workshop are reprinted in this document. The opening speaker began with an assessment of the problem of illiteracy in the United States and presented the library as an agency already dedicated to adult education and teaching of reading. The next speaker challenged librarians to keep abreast of…

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…

Calls for public library cooperation to meet the needs of the 10 to 20 million adults in the U.S. who cannot read. It is suggested that, in light of declining budgets, the appropriate special collections and services be made available only at certain designated libraries or branches within a system. (LLS)

The historical and contemporary involvement of the public library in non-traditional education is presented with the focus on adult basic education. Although most of the programs cited are in the United States, frequent references are made to international applications as described in United Nations reports and foreign case studies. Information…

This manual guides libraries and librarians in the planning, organization, and procedures of literacy programs. After a review of literacy goals, chapters of the book discuss the specific roles of libraries and librarians in literacy programs; essential steps in planning literacy programs; the implementation of literacy programs in public, school,…

Discusses the library's responsibility to society to confront adult illiteracy and suggests that libraries should provide computers and special software to support adult basic education programs. Available educational systems and software are described, and sources to aid in selection are identified. (10 references) (CLB)

Noting that one of the three major themes for the 1991 White House Conference on Library and Information Services is the role of the library in literacy education, this digest begins by describing how national awareness of the problem has led to legislation, both at the state and federal level, to fund new literacy programs and expand existing…

This report reviews the accomplishments of a literacy tutoring program--"Independence Through Literacy"--which was funded in its first year by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Title VI Library Literacy. This program had as its objective to demonstrate that literacy should be included among the basic skills that are…

To ascertain current status of academic library services to support literacy education, a survey was conducted using 20 pairs of community college and four-year college libraries in eight eastern states. Results revealed that all colleges in sample have literacy-related programs and that nearly all programs received library support. (11…

Description of the California Literacy Campaign instituted by California State Library highlights statewide commitment to provide public library services to help adults attain English-language ability and local projects. Examples of several projects (e.g., Modoc County Adult Tutorial Program, Tri-City Literacy Coalition), and community-based…

Reviews twentieth century programs to enhance literacy outside the schools and describes the activities of a one-day literacy planning session by the Region V Library Cooperative--a not-for-profit multi-type library membership organization of academic, institutional, public school and special libraries. A list of additional readings is provided.…