An evaluation was conducted of three adult literacy and basic skills programs in Ontario (Canada) to identify the type and nature of clients served and services provided by the programs. Research methodology included mailed questionnaires (n=150, 78 percent returned), 92 personal and telephone interviews with instructors and administrators of literacy programs, and 539 telephone interviews with former and current participants in the three programs. Some of the findings of the study are as follows: (1) the three programs (Ontario Basic Skills, Ontario Community Literacy, and Ontario Basic Skills in the Workplace) provide differing services according to their objectives; (2) the three programs serve different but overlapping groups of people; (3) most of the program participants felt they had achieved improved reading skills and gains in self-confidence; (4) generally, the programs were well matched to their clientele and provided helpful services; and (5) most participants saw positive job-related benefits resulting from their participation in the programs. Recommendations included the following: encouraging participants to increase the time spent in the programs, upgrading teachers' skills, assessing learning disabilities, and developing literacy materials and methods and evaluation methods. (Three appendices are attached: list of persons interviewed, discussion of government's role in literacy in Ontario, and a report on literacy training needs of specific population groups.) (KC)