A theoretical overview was developed as background for the Appalachian Adult Education Center (AAEC) research into cooperative service to disadvantaged adults by the public library and the public schools. Enormous needs to expand educational services to adults in the United States were identified. An historical review of educational and library services indicated that a large part of the reason for the gap between educational preparation and life needs in this technological age is that educational institutions view their mission as the transfer and preservation of cultures rather than as the change agent for those cultures. The study demonstrated that obstacles preventing the initiation and coordination of services to disadvantaged adults could be overcome in the presence of a middleman or catalyst such as the AAEC. (Author/PF)