The socioeconomic makeup of the community served by the Mott Public Library, Toledo, Ohio is described in detail. An account of the library's services and programs, in connection with their "disadvantaged" patrons, as well as the author's personal difficulties in establishing a citizens' advisory committee and an unsuccessful branch…

A public information center was established in an area covering 16 libraries in Detroit, Michigan. Funded by a Title I grant, the center sought to increase the effectiveness of information flow to residents and to compile a community resources directory. Several types of literature were reviewed and information was gathered from the Detroit Public…

The Black Heritage Public Library in Findlay, Ohio was begun by Nina Parker in 1981 to fill the gaps of black representation in American history and literature. The mission of one woman to counter the biased representation in local schools and present African-American history as a crucial piece of American history previously denied to all…

This study investigates whether or not it is possible for communities to combine school and public libraries. It concerns itself with identifying the conditions and circumstances which appear to be most conducive to combining school and public libraries, and also with identifying certain strengths, benefits, weaknesses, and limitations of combined…

Over the past two decades, an increasing number of American children are left in self-care after school each day. Parents of these latchkey children often turn to the library as a safe place for their children to go. The purpose of this study was to determine whether public libraries have responded since 1990 to the call put forward by concerned…

In June, 1973, the Supreme Court of the United States handed down five decisions which significantly altered the legal definition of obscenity, placing greater emphasis on local community standards for judging a work obscene. A survey of public libraries was conducted in 1974 to determine if these decisions had resulted in an increase in community…

This investigative study, through a questionnaire survey, was conducted to determine if public libraries in Ohio saw a need for library programs/outreach to the homeless, and if, indeed, any libraries had a structured program to serve the special needs of the homeless population. One library from each Ohio county was selected through systematic…

The Study Unlimited Program, developed at Black Hawk College (Illinois) to improve access to postsecondary opportunities for non-traditional students, makes General Education Development Test preparation and college-credit courses available in six area public libraries and in the on-campus Independent Learning Center. All library-based courses…

A survey designed to measure student awareness of library-based career information sources was conducted in general studies classes at Cuyahoga Community College (Ohio). The student population represented traditional freshmen and adult students looking for personal or career development. The response rate (94.7%) was excellent, with 31 classes…