Issues 256 through 265 of "Fast Facts" from the Library Research Service present data collected from libraries in Colorado and throughout the nation. Topics addressed in these "Fast Facts" from 2008 include computer usage by public library patrons, Colorado summer reading programs, children's' use of public libraries, and the…

Indices of the impact of public libraries on their municipalities are made by measuring the relationship of registrants against the municipal populations. Three indices based on registrants in households are developed. The methodology is based on "pairs" of libraries exhibiting two comparable characteristics--the population served and the per…

Reports and surveys help identify use patterns, problems of funding, staffing, cataloging, collection development and equipment in relation to the use of video and cable television in public libraries since the early 1970's. Use of these technologies can be mastered by public libraries committed to serving as information agents in today's society.…

Examines the value of the Public Library Association Planning Process and Output Measures. It is concluded that the planning process is wasteful, in that it ignores existing literature and addresses conditions that libraries cannot change. It is also argued that adoption of the output measures would be dangerous, as it involves serious egalitarian…

This study reviews the current status of public library service in Metropolitan Dade County, Florida, with particular reference to: (1) the governing structure of the existing public library agencies; (2) the sources and levels of their financial support; (3) the available library facilities, resources and personnel; (4) the services that are…

A needs assessment of the library services of the Lake Agassiz region of North Dakota was begun in 1974. A mail survey of the area population and an in-library user survey were conducted. Almost all libraries in the region fell below state standards on holdings primarily because the population base was inadequate to support 11 municipal libraries.…

This study analyzes the impact of library services in five medium-sized communities with differing geographic, economic, and social characteristics and determines the place of the public library within the pattern of city governmental services. Methods used for the study include interviews with community leaders, library trustees, librarians, and…

The Detroit Main Library's reference and research facilities have been used by increasing numbers of non-residents, although there has never been reciprocal financial support from suburban areas. Costs have increased and the city tax base has declined. In order to continue to operate as a metropolitan research library and to solve financial…

This report summarizes the "Public Library Facilities Master Plan for Metropolitan Dade County," prepared by Nelson Associates (ED 027 053). Some of the proposals of the master plan which are summarized in this report state that: (1) by 1985, a fourth and possibly a fifth regional library ought to be built to serve Dade County's…

Utilizing 1970 census data and updates plus local data and library records, the study seeks to assess the current status of public library usage in and around Aberdeen, South Dakota. A demographic profile of the community as a whole was first constructed and then compared with similar data for known public library users. Information was also…

In order to collect information that would aid administrators of public library film collections with self-assessment and planning, a questionnaire was sent to administrators of 63 public library film collections, including each of the 23 collections in New York State. Replies were received from representatives of 38 collections; of these 18 were…

The problem of the efficient allocation of State aid for libraries within a fixed budget constraint was studied. A management science (operations research) approach was utilized. Two basic models were developed: an allocation model to determine the amount of State aid to be received by each library system and a model that predicts library use as a…

This report consists of six individual reports that were done by staff members at the Library Research Center as part of the overall project. In Part I, "Financing Public Library Expansion: Case Studies of Three Defeated Bond Issue Referendums," Ruth G. Lindahl and William S. Berner analyze defeated library bond issue referendums in…

This report assesses the library and information needs of Oklahoma residents and proposes goals and objectives, plans of action, allocation of funds, program formulation, and priorities and evaluation procedures for dealing with these designated areas over a five year period. Based on data from a needs assessment study and library evaluations,…

Examines the state of library automation in Pakistan. Discusses early developments; financial support by the Netherlands Library Development Project (Pakistan); lack of automated systems in college/university and public libraries; usage by specialist libraries; efforts by private-sector libraries and the National Library in Pakistan; commonly used…