Recommends that public libraries be aware of the need to develop basic preservation policies in order to safeguard local treasures and to extend the life of the collection as a whole. The importance of cooperation is asserted in the light of limited budgets. A selected bibliography is included. (FM)

Describes the history of the Robbins Library in Arlington, Massachusetts, which grew from a couple of wheelbarrow loads of books in l835 to a collection of 130,000 volumes in l985. (EL)

Describes the various purposes of special collections of children's literature including their value to historians, sociologists, psychologists, artists and authors, their reference purposes, and their value in preserving regional artistic and literary heritages. A bibliography of journal articles, pamphlets, and brochures listed by state is…

Addresses the public library's problems in cataloging foreign language materials and assuring the patron's access to them. Eleven references are cited. (FM)

Three conference papers on the formulation of collection development policies are presented in this report: (1) Richard W. Blood, Assistant Professor and Social Sciences Bibliographer, General Libraries, University of Houston, discusses both the theoretical considerations behind an academic library's decision to write such a policy and the…

Suggests that reading teachers should promote the use of the public library as something to do with leisure time. (MKM)

Presents arguments in support of public library acquisition of videos. Some potential benefits for children and adults of watching videos are cited, e.g., learning about good acting, screenwriting, cinematography, directing, music, and good literature. (MES)

This examination of collection development and bibliographic control in the small public library (small staff and modest resources) is concerned with three categories of library materials that can be identified as serials: (1) magazines; (2) reference books; (3) books in series that can circulate separately. (10 references) (EJS)

Discusses the selection of materials for adults with low reading skills: adult basic education (ABE) materials within the public library setting, kinds of materials available, types of collections, acquiring ABE materials (including evaluation and problems), and using ABE materials to teach other skills. (JD)

The challenge to children's librarians of recognizing, analyzing, and selecting picture books for the not-so-young is discussed. Characteristics of sophisticated picture books, views of Elaine Moss (well-known British librarian), and efforts of children's librarians at Ottawa Public Library to establish picture books collection are highlighted.…

Discusses the special collections and archival materials often found in medium-sized public libraries which should be fully used by historical researchers. It is suggested that public libraries need to advertise their collections which are of historical interest and to be more aware of the needs of the historical researcher. (Author/JL)

Discussion of media in public libraries focuses on independent films and alternative video. Topics addressed include commercial films; film adaptations of novels; instructional films; material selection; cataloging; video technology; and a project in Indiana that tried to encourage public librarians to collect alternative videos. (LRW)

Suggests factors to be considered in planning a youth services department: (1) the public served; (2) kinds of materials included in the collection; (3) kinds of equipment available; (4) commitment to public service; (5) amenities for public comfort; (6) needs of library staff; and (7) integration of youth services into total library service. (MES)

Presents information about the psychological impact of unemployment and emphasizes the importance of aiming public library programs and materials at the appropriate level of user need. A needs-analysis approach to providing information services is proposed, and examples of programs and publications developed in Ontario public libraries are given.…

Concludes that too often secondary school and public librarians merely accumulate works of fiction as they appear on the market rather than develop fiction collections. Librarians should use bibliographic aids, patron suggestions, and critical reviews to identify and purchase books to truly develop a collection. (RAA)