This monograph contains two studies that investigated adult learning as it occurred within specific communities. "The Formation of Literacy Perspective" (Linda Ziegahn) examines the perspective toward literacy that was developed by 27 Montana adults experiencing reading and writing difficulties, 15 of whom were Native Americans. Four sections explore various dimensions of the self affecting literacy perspective; examine respondents' relationships with friends and relatives around literacy; describe elements of the community context respondents considered important to literacy perceptions and decisions; and forge a theory of literacy perspective as a result of the interaction between psychological and social contexts and the response of low-literate adults. "Lifelong Learning in Livingston, Montana" (John Shirk) investigates resources used in adult learning projects and the economic impact such learning activities had on an economically disadvantaged community. Interviews with 60 respondents produced the following findings: learning activity costs totaled as much as $2,000 per year, with the average learner spending at least $500 per year; economic benefits to learners included promotions, new responsibilities, and investment returns; and noneconomic gains to learners included improvement in interpersonal skills. (YLB)