This manual is designed to provide materials to help state and local bar associations become involved with the literacy issue. Chapter 1 provides an overview of illiteracy as a very serious problem. Chapter 2 describes major public and private efforts to combat illiteracy. Chapter 3 explains why the bar associations should be involved. Chapter 4 offers 28 discrete program ideas to assist state and local bars in developing effective literacy improvement initiatives. Although the chapter is divided by state bar association, local bar association, and individual lawyer headings, these divisions are somewhat arbitrary. Chapter 5 concludes that universal literacy is a national imperative. The appendix is an abridged alphabetical index of organizations and literacy programs mentioned within the manual. (YLB)