The following major provisions of the National Literacy Act of 1991 are described: increase authorization for literacy programs; establish a National Institute for Literacy; authorize state literacy resource centers; create national work force demonstrations; amend basic state grants; revise the Even Start Family Literacy Programs; and authorize other new programs. This report contains the following analyses of the act: (1) current status; (2) authorization of appropriations; (3) literacy planning, research, and coordination; (4) work force literacy; (5) education programs for commercial drivers; (6) books for families; (7) literacy for incarcerated individuals; (8) literacy challenge grants; and (9) territories and freely associated states. A comment section follows the summary of each major provision. Appendix A describes the legislative history of the act; Appendix B provides nine selected references regarding the act. (KC)