National Adult Literacy Database

This study was designed to document who calls the Literacy BC helpline and why they want to improve their literacy skills. What do their motivations and goals tell us about the role of literacy in society, in the economy, and in their personal lives? The study was also designed to examine what happens after they call. Do callers access and participate in the programs we help them to locate? If not, what stopped or prevented them? For those who participate, do the programs they attend meet their needs and expectations?

The findings in this report are based on quantitative and qualitative data collected from 248 callers to the helpline between August 1996 and August 1997. With the caller's permission, data were collected at four points: during the initial call, and in follow-up calls made by Literacy BC staff at two, five, and eight months after the original call.

For more information, contact :
Literacy BC
601 - 510 West Hastings Street
Vancouver BC V6B 1L8
Tel. (604) 684-0624
Toll free in BC: 1-800-663-1293
Fax (604) 684-8520
E-mail: literacy_bc@douglas.bc.ca