California Library Association: Literacy Services Section

Welcome to the Literacy Services Section!

Our Mission:

"The CLA Literacy Section exists to support the work of California library adult literacy program services. This section works to ensure that libraries provide adult and family literacy programming as part of their ongoing services and mission; and endeavors to heighten the visibility of adult and family literacy services in libraries and the communities in which they are offered."

Literacy Award

Since its inception in 2003, the Literacy Section has sponsored an annual award for Outstanding Librarian In Support of Literacy presented at the CLA Conference.

It is estimated that 10.5 million of the 93 million Americans who are functioning at the basic and below basic literacy levels live in California. They are the target of library based adult literacy programs. Statewide these programs serve approximately 20,000 adult learners each year. Summary of the 2003 National Adult Literacy Survey (pdf)

If you are a Literacy Specialist or a librarian concerned about the challenge of adult literacy, we invite you to join the Literacy Section! If you haven't signed up yet, read the Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Join CLA and the Literacy Section.

Section Highlights

On Legislative Day (April 26, 2006), the Section provided information packets (pdf) to state legislators about California Library Literacy Services programs.
As can be seen from the Section Calendar, the Executive Committee of the section is active throughout the year to plan Literacy section activities. Strategic Goals (pdf) for the Literacy Section.
Literacy Section Report for 2005-06

Section Meeting Minutes/Notes

March 2008 Conference Call (12k)
January 2008 Conference Call (12k)
October 2007 (24k)
October 2007 Conference Call (13k)
January 2007 (21k)
November 2006 (25k)
October 2006 Conference Call (22k)
July 2006 Conference Call (15k)
June 2006 - Strategic Plan Meeting (65k)
June 2006 Conference Call (11k)
April 2006 Conference Call (12k)
March 2006 Conference Call (12k)
November 2005 (26k)
October 2005 Conference Call (11k)

Discussion List

Members of Literacy Services Section are invited to join the Literacy Services Section e-mail discussion list. This list is to be used as a tool for sharing information among members of the section.