This handbook is designed to provide a comprehensive reference source about adult illiteracy for Michigan public librarians, whether or not they currently work with local literacy councils. Introductory material provides listings of members of the Michigan State Legislative Council and Library of Michigan Board of Trustees, and a listing of the Library of Michigan administrators. Functional illiteracy is defined; a glossary of terms and a summary of literacy statistics are provided; and the following topics are briefly discussed: (1) Adult Performance Levels; (2) Adult Education; (3) Illiteracy Generates Itself; (4) Libraries and Literacy; (5) Books Popular with Adult New Readers; (6) Collection Development for Libraries; (7) Publishers; (8) Ways the Library Can Serve the Illiterate Adult; (9) Michigan Libraries; (10) Organizations; (11) Coalition for Literacy; (12) Michigan Adult Literacy Initiative; (13) Michigan Libraries That Received LSCA (Library Services and Construction Act) Funding for Literacy Projects; (14) Recruiting Adult New Readers; and (15) Recruiting Volunteer Tutors. Sample press releases and library and literacy logos are also included, and a listing of background reading sources on functional illiteracy is provided. (KM)