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)

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)

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,…

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…

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…

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…

This article discusses the problem of adult illiteracy and offers guidelines to assist librarians in developing adult literacy programs based on results of the Los Angeles Public Library's Library Adult Reading Project. Federal and state funding, partnerships, plan of action, personnel, materials, operations, and equipment are covered. (EJS)

This final performance report for the Bay County (Florida) Public Library literacy project begins with a section that provides quantitative data about: (1) the size of the community served; (2) type of project; (3) targeted populations; (4) tutoring methods used; (5) measurement of student progress; (6) printed items produced; and (7) total…

The Kountze Public Library in Texas conducted a program using cross-age tutoring as a strategy to strengthen family reading skills, to develop a collection of educational literacy materials in the library, and to disseminate results to the public. During the 1-year program, 29 volunteers participated, with 14 trained as tutors. Tutors worked 64…