According to the 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy, it is estimated that 93 million adults in the United States have basic or below basic literacy skills. Those individuals found most lacking in literacy skills were adults living in poverty, adults lacking a high school diploma, seniors and the elderly aged 65 and older, the more than one…

Among public institutions, the library has great potential for helping the poor and disenfranchised. For many, the library is the only refuge for information, literacy, entertainment, language skills, employment help, free computer use and even safety and shelter. Experts Glen and Leslie Holt, with decades of service to inner city communities…

The 2012 edition of the "Digest of Education Statistics" is the 48th in a series of publications initiated in 1962. The "Digest" has been issued annually except for combined editions for the years 1977-78, 1983-84, and 1985-86. Its primary purpose is to provide a compilation of statistical information covering the broad field…

Designed as an annotated guide, this preliminary catalog highlights and describes 30 promising library projects in 10 states that were originally funded under the Library Services and Construction Act. The description of each program includes a one or two paragraph description and information on users, facilities required, financial requirements,…

Report on the role of public library services in adult literacy education highlights the nature of service clientele, literacy program development in the United States and Australia, literacy research projects, patterns of service, library collection development, and librarian training. Footnotes are given. (EJS)

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)

This publication highlights sixty-two outstanding projects originally funded under the Library Services and Construction Act. Designed as a descriptive, annotated guide, the catalog shares information about library programs selected from 34 states and territories to exemplify some of the diverse services stimulated by Federal funds. These…

A study was conducted to explore the interrelationship of library and literacy education programs of the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS), and to identify the nature of library involvement in the accomplishment of the literacy education mission of the 58-member organization of two-year institutions. Students enrolled in the…

The State Library of Florida sponsored a conference in 1974 to provide an interchange of ideas between public libraries and specialists in adult basic education (ABE). Nine papers were given covering existing ABE programs, the role of libraries in ABE, how to find and evaluate materials, and methods of interagency cooperation. Nine appendixes…

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)

This report presents the methodology and results of a survey which determined the current level of involvement in literacy-related services of 50 public libraries in British Columbia. The primary areas addressed by the survey are: (1) the degree of "formal involvement" in literacy-related activities; (2) most common literacy activities;…

One in a series of bibliographies related to rural library service, this document lists over 800 entries dealing with the specific concerns of rural, county, and small community libraries. Listed alphabetically by author under subject headings, the entries cover the period from 1930 to 1975 and are drawn from a variety of sources including…

Guidelines are given for expanding library hours so that disadvantaged adults may use library facilities and services on nights and weekends. There are discussions of cost, staffing, security problems, and publicity. Shifting library, bookmobile, and special programs to different hours; moving some programs outside the library; and special…

The Appalachian Adult Education Center (AAEC) conducted a study of the services of two institutions, public libraries and public schools, serving disadvantaged adults in cooperation. The study was conducted at four AAEC centers in Alabama, South Carolina, Kentucky, and West Virginia. The problems explored included information needs of…