Program Essentials for California Library Literacy Services
Adult Literacy Services (ALS)
In order to receive a baseline amount of funding from the California State Library for Adult Literacy Services, please check to insure that your library literacy services are in compliance with these program essentials:
- Definition of an Adult Learner -- For the purposes of qualifying for the per capita award portion of the CLLS funding formula, an adult learner:
- Is 16 years or older and not concurrently enrolled in high school
- Seeks literacy services for him/herself in English and is able to do the intake interview in English
- Has completed an intake interview, has been assessed and is receiving instruction including, but not limited to, one-to-one, small group and/or computer instruction
- Has established one or more personal literacy goals
- Does not include someone who requests services from your library but is referred elsewhere
- "Dedicated staff" have been assigned specifically to adult literacy services
- Literacy instruction is provided for the English-speaking adults who seek it, and the service is in response to the needs of the community
- Literacy services are provided in a public library setting or, if elsewhere, a strong connection to the library is made
- The service has trained volunteer tutors and adult learners
- While library literacy services may charge a third party, such as a workplace, for services, instruction is always provided for free to the "end-user," the adult learner or participating family.
- The service defines "adult learners" as those 16 years or older, not concurrently enrolled in high school, who seek literacy services for themselves in English and are able to do the intake interview in English.
- Adult learners go through an initial intake process, which includes screening, assessment and possible referral
- Adult learners receive regular instruction including but not limited to one-to-one, small group and/or computer instruction
- Volunteer tutor screening, training, assessment and referral services are provided
- After volunteer tutors receive training they are matched or are waiting to be matched with adult learners
- Volunteer tutors meet regularly with adult learners and report on their progress
- Ongoing tutor and adult learner support services and programs are offered
- The library has a method for gathering literacy data and uses the CLLS "Roles and Goals" form with its adult learners in order to gather outcomes data
- The library undertakes periodic, regular student assessment, literacy services evaluation, and the reporting of outcomes
- Literacy staff participate in their regional network (BALIT, CVLLN, NCLC, SCLLN, CSJVLN, ILC, NCCLLN, SCCLP)
- The library participates in or is in the process of establishing a local adult literacy coalition
- The library knows its community and the community's literacy needs