You are exploring the Literacy Information aNd Communication System (LINCS), and you have indicated that you want help. The topics listed above -- Navigation and Resources -- are the divisions of this help text. Follow either of those links for help on using LINCS.

The demonstration links that follow below will load. Use the BACK button to return to Illinois LINCS Help page.

Navigating LINCS

The System includes five primary Web sites that are color coded to tell you where you are in the system. The web sites are named and organized geographically. The National LINCS site and other pages from National LINCS are red and purple. IF you have come to a page from one of the other partners -- Eastern LINCS (teal), Southern LINCS (yellow), Midwest LINCS (orange), Western/Pacific LINCS (green), or Northwest LINCS (purple). You may go back and forth between all of the sites by clicking on the BACK and FORWARD buttons in the pop-up window after you have visited all of the regions.

Eastern LINCS	Southern LINCS
Midwest LINCS	Western/Pacific LINCS
Northwest LINCS

Each of the five partner sites in the LINCS Network is a valuable collection of literacy related resources in its own right. As part of the LINCS Network, however, each site points you to even more great literacy resources. Some of the resources will be specific to certain regions or states. Other resources cross regional boundaries. You can also access Regional and State LINCS pages by visiting the map of LINCS regional partners.

Each of the LINCS web sites share an organizational plan. They include navigational elements on the right side of the banner at the top of the page that will look similar across LINCS sites. SITE MAP is an alphabetical index of the resources included in the LINCS System, or the LINCS site you are in. Site Map will be on the right top of the page. Clicking on the word HELP brought you here; clicking on the word HOME will lead you to the homepage of the site you are on.

The bottom line of words will say HOME if you are are already on the homepage, or will tell you where you are in the site . . . such as the News & Events or the About Literacy sections of the site.

LINCSearch

Selecting the LINCSearch icon in the upper left of each banner will take you to the LINCSearch page. Choices on this page enable you to search the entire LINCS network for materials or websites, search for funding opportunities, local programs or access ideas from the online discussion groups.

Top Navigation Buttons

The buttons in the middle of the top of the screen lead you to the main products of the LINCS Network. Short descriptions follow.

	The LINCS Special Collections have specialized information on high-quality literacy practices and materials for use in adult education and literacy programs in eleven categories such as assessment or ESL.
	The LINCS online discussion lists give literacy stakeholders the opportunity to discuss the literacy field's critical issues. At this site you can subscribe and un-subscribe to 13 topical discussions.
	The MY LINCS feature allows users to create a profile of their interests so they can stay in touch with what is new on LINCS through a bulletin board system that interests them.
	The LINCS HOT Sites award program highlights and promotes the "best" Web-based resources in and for the adult basic education and literacy community. It is updated three times a year. Recommend a site through this link.

There are also buttons at the bottom of each Web page that will help you navigate through LINCS. These buttons are color coded and let you choose whether to go to the National Institute for Literacy's Web site, the homepage for National LINCS, any of the four regional LINCS sites, contact the staff responsible for the site you are on, or learn more about LINCS.

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