September 3, 2014 - 

PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

The level of literacy needed to function in the workplace, the community and the home has risen steadily with the advance of technology and the information age. Despite this, California still suffers from unacceptable levels of adult illiteracy. Recent studies indicate that nearly 23 percent of California’s adults lack basic literacy skills, severely impacting their lives and families, their ability to work productively and their full participation as citizens and residents of our state.

Recognizing the need to foster adult and family literacy and the importance of reading and lifelong learning, in 1984 the California Legislature established California Library Literacy Services to promote literacy by providing services to English-speaking adult learners and their families through California’s public libraries. Administered by the California State Library, this program has made great strides in improving adult literacy in our state. Each year, over 10,000 trained volunteers in over 800 library locations statewide provide one-on-one literacy tutoring for more than 22,000 adult learners.

As California Library Literacy Services celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, it is fitting that we honor the great contributions made by this program’s staff, volunteers and students to the advancement of adult literacy in California and our broader efforts to become a more educated, prosperous and equal society.

NOW THEREFORE I, EDMUND G. BROWN JR., Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim September 2014, as “Adult Literacy Awareness Month.”

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 28th day of August 2014.



___________________________________
EDMUND G. BROWN JR.
Governor of California


ATTEST:



__________________________________
DEBRA BOWEN
Secretary of State