Adult Literacy Services: Results & Outcomes

Fast Facts:

2006-2007 Statewide
	19,023
Volunteer Tutors:	10,565
Instructional Hours:	847,651
Books Given Away to Low-Literacy Adults:	47,364

Outcomes:

Library literacy services are different from traditional schools because the focus is on figuring out what the adult learner wants to accomplish and then using these real-life goals to set the course for instruction.

The Roles & Goals Process, created by the California State Library, is an outcomes-based tool used to measure progress toward learners' goals. Goals set, goals met, and unanticipated achievements are collected and aggregated locally and then on a statewide basis to create a big picture of the impact library literacy services are having in California. Here are the most recent results of the Roles & Goals process:

CALIFORNIA LIBRARY LITERACY SERVICES
ROLES & GOALS REPORT
13,349 Adult Learners Reporting
6 month period from January 1, 2007 – June 30, 2007

General goals:

Of those who set the goal to learn the alphabet, 65% were able to do so within the last six months.
58% of those who set the goal, are now able to read a book for the first time or are able to read a book at a more complex level than they had before.
74% of those who set the goal to use the library regularly are now doing so.
Of those who set the goal to learn to write checks, 53% are now able to do so.
31% of those who wanted to learn to write and send e-mail now do so.
18% of those who said they wanted to pass part of or all of the GED test achieved that goal within the last six months.

Life-long learner role:

In the last six months, 59% of those who had said they wanted to learn to read a menu accomplished that goal.
63% of those who wanted to improve their ability to read street/traffic signs were able to do so.
51% who indicated an interest in reading health education information were successful in doing so.

Family member role:

For those who said that sharing a book with their children or family members was a personal goal, 69% successfully did so.
48% of those who wanted to be able to help their children with homework were able to do so.
69% of those who said they wanted to take their children to a library storytime did just that.

Worker role:

Of those who set these goals, 53% were able to complete a job application; 42% interviewed for a job; and 28% actually secured a new job or were promoted at work within the last six months.

Community member role:

Within the last six months, of those who expressed interest in voting, 45% registered and 48% actually voted.
48% of those who said they would like to access other community services and resources were able to do so.
Of those adult learners who said they wanted to become volunteers themselves, 45% were able to begin their volunteer work.