The third in a series of reports on major studies issued by the National Commission of Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS), "Improving State Aid to Public Libraries" is examined in the first part; "Help Plan the New Library" is discussed in the second. (JPF)

Public library services are threatened by a national mood of economic conservatism. Librarians should actively combat the threat by defending services, making collective decisions, resisting inflation, seeking federal support, responding to charges from politicians, and increasing efficiency. (FM)

The annual city expenditure for public libraries is compared to annual expenditures for selected other services, from 1950 through 1968-69. (Author/MM)

Portrays a public library's struggle for survival in the face of serious financial cutbacks. Strengths of this successful campaign for a serial levy are discussed and offered as models for other administrators who are encountering less spectacular success in preserving their public library systems. (JPF)

Describes strategies that were successful in passing library bond issues for the Atlanta Public Library and the Marion (Ohio) Public Library, as well as legislation providing for cooperative library areas and additional state funding in Michigan. Some lessons learned from an unsuccessful campaign by the Clearwater (Fla.) Library are included. (JPF)

An historical profile of the New York Public Library helps explain its budgeting problems. Extensive fund raising in 1972 enabled the five research libraries to remain open to the public, but sustained federal funding will soon be necessary. (DH)

Comments on a study of major significance entitled "Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Federal Funding of PUblic Libraries," which was prepared for NCLIS by Government Studies and Systems Inc. in 1976. This report serves as an effective background document for discussion of issues and policies. (JPF)

Describes the oldest and largest combined school-public library system in the United States. According to school principals and librarians who function within it day to day, the system is working, although it has limitations. (LLS)

This special report on library facilities and furnishings focuses on restoration and renovation. Areas discussed include the status of the Carnegie libraries, the earthquake protection design of the new Alameda County (California) library, a successful effort to restore a historic library in Franklin, Massachusetts, and function and beauty in…

Discussion of library outreach programs to senior citizens highlights the experiences of Driftwood Library (Lincoln City, Oregon) in using multimedia kits by Bi-Folkal that were designed for use in nursing homes, senior care centers, and retirement homes. Library staffing, funding, and planning needs are addressed. (LRW)

Discusses philosophy and economics of charging users for library services. Free services are advocated for reasons of equal access and intellectual freedom, and alternatives to charging are suggested, citing Seattle Public Library as an example. Opinions and statistics on library fees excerpted from the current literature are included. (CDD)

Discusses the potential for linking large metropolitan public libraries to international interlibrary loan networks. Issues involved in international networking, including funding, standards, network connectivity, and protectionism, are discussed. Examples of libraries capable of participating and brief descriptions of their collections are given.…

Describes how a historic church building in New Woodstock, New York was converted into a full-service modern library. Discusses community support and patron involvement in the project, the design plan which retained the historical integrity and satisfied modern requirements, funding from local contributions, spatial arrangements, and provisions…