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Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 15, 2005
CONTACT:
Sarah Dalton
California State Library
916/654-1483
California State Library to address new National Adult Literacy Assessment report
SACRAMENTO -The U.S. Dept of Education today released its 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL) report, the first update of the nation's adult literacy skills in more than 10 years.
State Librarian of California Susan Hildreth states, "We have eagerly awaited this report, and the insights it can hopefully provide. California libraries have been addressing literacy needs throughout the state for over 20 years. In 2004/05, California libraries provided literacy instruction for 20,014 adults, who for any number of reasons, haven't learned to read and write well. These services were provided in 780 California communities, by 103 public library jurisdictions. We provide free one-to-one or small group instruction with trained volunteers to English-speaking adults who request literacy help."
California State Library (CSL) staff is currently reviewing the report. Early next week, the CSL will co-host (in partnership with ProLiteracy Worldwide) a web cast for California Library Literacy Services providers that will cover the CSL's analysis of the report. The archived web cast will be accessible to the public by Thursday, December 22 at http://rurallibraries.org/webcasts/12-21-05/.
For more information please contact Carla Lehn, CSL Library Programs Consultant, (916) 653-7743, clehn@library.ca.gov.