ADULT LITERACY PROGRAM REACHES 20-YEAR MILESTONE

Project Read Aids 150 People Every Year

SAN MATEO - Alonso McConnell had a long way to travel to get sober from
heroin, but until recently he couldn't read the road signs. Literally.

McConnell, 63, was nearly illiterate four years ago, limited to reading
words of four to five letters. But since 2002, the nonprofit program aide,
former roofer and father of 12 has been reading and improving his life
through the San Mateo Public Library's Project Read program. The program
turns 20 this month. McConnell is celebrating, too: After 32 years as an
on-again, off-again prisoner of the California Department of Corrections,
he's off parole this week and can register to vote.

"About 37 percent of San Mateo County residents are in the lowest two of
five levels of literacy," according to a 1992 survey, Caroline Beverstock
said. New survey data is due to be released this year.