Examines literature on latchkey children and public libraries, and reviews solutions to this issue. Presents four recommendations to help public libraries clarify their role in serving latchkey children: educate personnel regarding appropriate services, develop a written policy, reevaluate programs and services, become involved in a community task…

This article describes the characteristics of before- and after-school child care programs and deliniates the features needed to accommodate children with special needs. Potential ways to adapt current programs to fill this need and suggestions for design of future programs are discussed. Characteristics of effective programs are reviewed. (PB)

This paper reviews the literature on the effects of what children do with their time out of school and the impact of various care arrangements. Much of the research has focused on "latchkey children": children who care for themselves. In this paper, a summary of the research findings on the latchkey group is followed by a review of what is known…