Presents standards for reference services developed by the Suburban Library System (Illinois) and discusses the effects of the standards on youth services. Standards for a written reference plan, reference staff, reference sources, and evaluation are included. (11 references) (MES)

Notes that draft proposal for voluntary public library accreditation prepared by ad hoc committee is now ready for consideration by professional community. This article defines accreditation and proposes possible goals to provide a framework for discussing the pros and cons of establishing a Commission for the Accreditation of Public Libraries.…

Presents and discusses a check list of recommended competencies developed by the Association for Library Services to Children for librarians serving children in public libraries. Suggestions are provided for the use of the check list by library educators, public library administrators, state and regional agencies, librarians, library school…

This guide to the administration of the Library Systems Act for the State of Texas begins by presenting the text of the Library Systems Act. The relevant regulations from the Texas Administrative Code are then provided, covering such topics as standards for accreditation of a major resource system of libraries, minimum standards for accreditation…

Describes a process undertaken by small, rural libraries in Massachusetts in which trustees, librarians, and community leaders identified the possible roles of libraries and prioritized needs for individual communities. The results include an emphasis on community standards rather than national, and a list of three basic roles of all libraries.…

Explores the issue of intellectual freedom and the role of the library in the community, and the extent to which community attitudes and values should influence library policy. A specific incident involving a public library exhibit of materials on gay rights in Durham, North Carolina, is described. (CLB)

Draws some initial connections between library performance measures and library space planning and collection management. Output measure surveys are suggested for establishing hierarchies of use and appropriate design of environments for housing the collection. Four references are listed. (MES)

This report presents statistical pictures of New York State public libraries and public library systems during the calendar year 1990. The information is derived from the 1990 Annual Report for Public Libraries and Annual Report for Public Library Systems forms. Three statistical pictures of public libraries are presented. First, statistics for…

These guidelines were developed by the bookmobile community that has met in Columbus, Ohio, since 1985 for their annual conference. The guidelines comprise the collaborative effort of hundreds of conference participants and representatives from 79 libraries throughout the United States and Canada, who discussed the guidelines in regional and state…

Describes guidelines issued by the Public Library Association which base evaluation of individual public libraries on community standards rather than national; identify eight basic roles of the library within the community; and provide a suggested process for libraries and communities to assess service needs and determine which activities to…

Three brief articles examine common beliefs which detract from the issue of national standards for library service; present suggestions for small library management; and describe the small Library Development Center at Clarion University of Pennsylvania. (CDD)

This guide from the Public Libraries Association (PLA) describes a planning process to be used by individual library systems to establish their own standards appropriate to local conditions and needs; design strategies to reach those needs; and inaugurate a planning cycle that involves continuous monitoring of progress and regular adjustment of…

Developed by the Task Force on Public Library and Library System Standards and Guidelines, these general standards are designed to give local planners a useful tool with which to assess their own unique programs of service and establish direction for future development. A section on planning and the public library considers (1) imperatives for…

Intended to be used by librarians, this guide will also be useful to boards of trustees, governing officials, members of funding agencies, and community support groups involved in planning on a local level and within the context of regional and state library service. It provides information to help libraries plan and evaluate their services and…

Describes a survey of Greek public libraries and the resulting classification of these institutions as county, municipal, or children's libraries. The problems of inadequate library resources, a nonreading public, ill-trained and unsupported librarians, and lack of government legislation concerning libraries are discussed. (CLB)