In addition, MLP has developed curricula to serve its diverse student population: teaching parenting skills through the use of children's picture books; developing tools to be used by people newly entering the workforce; and producing a radio program to teach second language learners in West Marin. MLP staff has also developed outstanding training materials based on several nationally known curricula, and uses this to train community volunteer tutors, as well as inmates who then tutor other inmates.

Other changes in the past 20 years include the growth of part-time MLP staff from two positions in 1985 to eleven today. As our student population has increased in diversity, our training has broadened to include similarly diverse materials for tutors’ use with their students.We are serving more students with small group instruction, in addition to traditional one-to-one tutoring.

The partnership between California's public libraries and adult literacy programs began in 1984, when seed money from the California Literacy Campaign was initially distributed to 27 libraries throughout the state. By 1985, the State Legislature had established support for the fledgling campaign with the passage of the California Library Services Act, and now, 21years later, literacy programs are in place in 104 California public libraries.

Serving Marin for Over 20 Years

History of Marin Literacy Program

The history of the Marin Literacy Program (MLP) mirrors the growth and development of the California Literacy Campaign in many ways. In 1985, the Marin County Free Library began providing literacy services to 51 students through the efforts of 44 volunteer tutors, with a $31,000 annual budget funded entirely by a grant from the State Library.

A current snapshot of the Marin Literacy Program shows a radically changed view. MLP is now jointly sponsored by two library districts – those of Marin County and the City of San Rafael – and serves over 950 students with close to 250 volunteer tutors annually. The budget of over $500,000 is provided by a variety of sources, both governmental and private.

As funding sources have diversified over the course of 20 years, likewise has the variety of services offered by MLP. We have added components in Family, Inmate, and Workplace Literacy, as well as our very popular F.L.A.G.ship, a colorful mobile unit that travels from as far south as Marin City and Mill Valley, to San Rafael and San Geronimo, and north to Novato, Tomales and Bodega Bay.