In the spring of 1980, the State of Wisconsin Division for Library Services conducted a survey to determine the level of children's services offered by public libraries throughout the state. Questionnaires were sent to the 435 public library units in the state offering library services, and 363 of these responded to the survey. Cross tabulations…

These articles provide testimony in support of youth services which have been and continue to be a vital part of public library service in Illinois. Organized around the symbol of a mighty oak tree, the articles are divided into three sections: (1) The Trunk--based on strong roots with the past, standards, goals, and objectives are formulated; (2)…

Describes a September 1980 study of 310 public library children's specialists from 310 library buildings in 74 California library systems. The survey's findings indicate that continuing education in nonprint media and services is in order for many children's services specialists. (LLS)

This description of the Botswana National Library Service (B.N.L.S.) with its central headquarters and 13 branches provides insights into communication problems, development of services, and clientele in an area where books and reading are still a new exciting idea. (MBR)

Questionnaires were submitted to a number of Dutch public libraries where books are loaned to children to gather data for an investigation of the nature and scope of tasks in the children's library and changes that have taken place since the introduction of the free library system in 1975. Also examined were the duties of children's librarians and…

Guidelines are presented to provide advice on the development of national and regional research collections of children's literature and reading materials for use by library professionals. Following a brief introduction on the advantages of such collections, their organization, financing, staffing, and goals, this paper offers suggestions for…

This study, commissioned to investigate how well the collection and services of the Regina Public Library meet the educational and recreational needs of the children of Regina, has tried to answer these questions: For what purpose do children in Regina use the public library? How well are the informational and recreational needs of library users…

Offers suggestions for the acquisition of visual aids in a children's library, addressing such factors as collection criteria, size, scope, sources, processing, access, storage, display, circulation, and promotion. (FM)

Discusses three audiovisual formats--films, filmstrips, recordings--and how they can be evaluated in terms of their use in children's programs. Various types of programs that can be planned using these materials and things to consider in selecting materials for these programs are mentioned. Four sources are given. (EJS)

In recent years there has been a push for libraries to develop and use systematic measures to determine the effectiveness of library service. Materials availability, or fill rate, is one of many output measures used in libraries. This technique measures the degree to which library customers are able to acquire the materials they want during their…

This article describes the history of the Museum of Science and Industry Library (Chicago, Illinois) and its services, collections, and facilities. Emphasis on educational and children's materials is discussed. Statistics provided include date founded, director, collection and staff size, and main subjects collected. (EJS)

This study sought to identify the roles and functions of the central children's library as performed in 27 urban library systems in the United States and two in Canada, and to determine how they have been affected by (1) changes in the central city, (2) changes in administrative patterns, and (3) priorities set in response to the financial…

Describes the racially segregated public library children's collections and services in Louisville, Kentucky and Nashville, Tennessee. Discusses the relationship between African American librarians and users based on original library records, annual reports, and librarians' writings; describes and evaluates the collections developed for black…

Considers the changes in children's services over the past decade and their implications, as well as parental influence, toys, storytelling, and special programs for collection development. The function of the children's program within the library and the community is also briefly discussed. (CWM)

To measure effect of posters on children's selection of books from display table, two displays (one with poster) were placed in visible area of one public library and five elementary school media centers. Children selected 10% (public library) and 27% (media center libraries) more books from poster table. (14 references) (EJS)