This thesis presents a history of the California Library Literacy Service from its founding in 1984 to its twentieth anniversary in 2004. The California Library Literacy Service is a statewide library-based literacy instruction program funded with grant support from the California State Library that provides technical assistance and funding to California Public Libraries who offer tutoring to illiterate English-speaking adults. This program helps 80,000-100,000 Californians every year who lack the functional literacy skills needed to complete daily literacy tasks. The California Library Literacy Service views literacy is a partnership between adult learners and their community. The program has fostered many such literacy-centric partnerships across the state. The story of the California Library Literacy Services is the story of many Californians who have worked to improve their own lives, the lives of others, and bring positive change to California.