Although volunteer tutors traditionally have formed the basis of the programs of Laubach Literacy Action and Literacy Volunteers of America, volunteers have begun to play a greater role in adult literacy instruction provided through community-based organizations, correctional institutions, churches, and federally funded adult basic education. Ilsley has identified five elements common to all literacy volunteer programs: purpose, scope, organizational control, professionalism, and finance. No single combination of these variables is appropriate for every station; instead, programs should be tailored to the needs of the group or community to be served. Likewise, selecting an appropriate administrative approach is important. Criteria for selecting volunteers, clarification of the assumptions about volunteers that are held by the organization developing the literacy program, and specification of the relationship between organizational setting and the establishment of a climate for volunteer participation are some of the many considerations that must be addressed. Administrators deciding to incorporate volunteers into adult literacy programs must also consider the myths, advantages, and disadvantages associated with literacy volunteerism. There is no shortage of resources available for those wishing to develop administrative guidelines and procedures for adult literacy volunteer programs, with as much as three-fourths of the literature base being devoted to administrative aspects of program development. (MN)