About the Council
The San Diego Council on Literacy was founded in 1986 by San Diego Union-Tribune publisher Helen K. Copley, then County Supervisor and former U.S. Congressman Brian Bilbray, and five community literacy programs: Carlsbad City Library, Laubach Literacy Council of San Diego, Literacy Volunteers of America, National City Public Library and San Diego Library.
The council was originally established to increase public awareness of literacy needs and services and to support cooperative efforts among literacy programs in the county. Since then, local literacy programs have increased in number and variety of services offered. Today, the council has gained the respect of literacy professionals across the country through its ability to unite diverse literacy programs and to gain support for local literacy efforts.
The council has been named as one of the leading literacy cooperatives in America. The council was recognized by the United Way of America as a "Selected Model of Collaboration." The council is also a member of the National Alliance of Urban Literacy Coalitions.