A survey called the Literacy Check-Up was conducted in South Carolina's Lancaster and Chester Counties in April-May 2000. The survey was designed to identify existing literacy services, determine how well the area's existing literacy programs were meeting participants' needs, and determine the community's capacity for serving adults in need of literacy services. Of the 345 surveys originally mailed, 45 (15%) were completed (including 9 from agencies/organizations providing literacy services). The Literacy Check-Up also included two focus meetings. The types of programs being offered included basic skills, family literacy, parent training, English as a second language, life skills, and religious education. The area's adult learners represented a broad range of age, racial, and socioeconomic groups. Literacy program staffing levels were inadequate, given the known percentage of the adult population in the study area who are at the two lowest levels of literacy proficiency. The following five steps for improving the area's existing literacy services were identified: (1) build a literacy system; (2) develop more workplace and health literacy programs; (3) recruit and train additional volunteers and professionals; (4) make better use of technology; and (5) create awareness of literacy issues. Tables detailing area literacy services and five levels of literacy proficiency are appended. (Contains 17 endnotes.) (MN)