Recent developments have broadened the definition of literacy to multiple literacies--bodies of knowledge, skills, and social practices with which we understand, interpret, and use the symbol systems of our culture. This compilation looks at the various literacies as the application of critical abilities to several domains of importance to adult life in the 21st century. It begins with an examination of critical literacy for "challenging times," making the case for its potential to move adult literacy education beyond "neutral and neutralizing notions" of technical skill. In the next chapter, how people acquire digital/electronic literacy and how adult educators can support this effort are examined. Environmental literacy is used as an example of education for effective critique rather than instrumental purposes in the third chapter. The fourth chapter takes a different perspective on health literacy by addressing its importance for all adults, not just those with low levels of basic skills. An annotated resource list provides sources of more information about critical aspects of the following literacy domains: multiple, critical, civic, digital/electronic, environmental, financial, geographic, health, media, and technological/scientific. Contains 124 references. (SK)