Despite the proliferation of online homework websites and tutoring services, public libraries still have an important role to play when it comes to supporting young people's educational needs. Public libraries that take a proactive approach--by setting up organized homework centers--have the potential to become catalysts for better performance in…

The Equipped for the Future (EFF) project of the National Institute for Literacy (NIFL) helps adult learners (and their tutors) develop literacy skills with a focus on "real life" lessons. This paper discusses projects in California public libraries that use EFF. A sidebar describes LINCS (Literacy Information and Communication System)…

The director of the Queens Borough Public Library (Jamaica, New York) examines the role of the public library in helping to prevent illiteracy and discusses innovative ways libraries can serve adult readers and learners, using the Queens model as an example. Includes a sidebar by Audrey Gorman "Toward a New Definition of Literacy." (AEF)