The Vital Link is a reader development programme linking libraries and adult basic skills. It was initially funded by the DCMS/Wolfson Public Libraries Challenge Fund in 2001/2, which awarded £240,000 to National Literacy Trust and The Reading Agency for the Vital Link. The initiative linked adult literacy and libraries with the aim of helping reach the 20%+ of the adult population who have problems with reading and writing.

In August 2003, it was confirmed that there would be new funding for the Vital Link from MLA, the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (formerly Resource) to take forward the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's new 10-year strategy for libraries, Framework for the Future, in relation to support for adult literacy.

• Information about adult basic skills
• The DCMS/Wolfson Public Libraries Challenge Fund awards were established in 1997 to provide funding for projects to enhance library services in England. Visit www.culture.gov.uk for more information on the project fund.