Academic and public libraries are facing the challenge of finding new avenues of service and of creating value for their constituencies. This value is in the form of outcomes that result in bettering the people who use libraries and the community at large. The authors feel that librarians must find creative ways to make their communities better…

A comprehensive survey was conducted to (1) determine the present state and future needs of Oklahoma libraries, with emphasis on public libraries, and (2) formulate a plan for library development. A survey team collected basic data on the state's libraries, conducted an in-depth survey of representative public libraries, examined library…

Because of the low density of its population and subsequent low property tax support, library service in Oklahoma is based on the multicounty library operating as a single unit. With the help of federal funds, such units now cover one-third of the state and 60 percent of its population utilizing branch libraries and bookmobile service. Service to…

The Oklahoma Department of Libraries (ODL) launched Oklahoma's statewide database program in 1997. For the state's academic libraries, the program extended access to information, increased database use, and fostered positive relationships among ODL, academic libraries, and Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE), creating a more…

The Oklahoma Chapter of the Association of College and Research Libraries (OK-ACRL) and the Oklahoma Library Association, College and University Division (OLA-CUD) co-sponsored a survey of professional academic librarians to obtain institutional and background data on their characteristics, their preferences for academic professional association…

An overview is provided of the Central Oklahoma Economic Development District (COEDD) library system, which serves seven counties. A general analysis of COEDD's background and purpose is followed by demographic and economic data for the area. An inventory of present library facilities and activities is presented along with a comparison with state…

The findings and recommendations of a needs assessment study of Oklahoma libraries are presented, with recommendations focusing on public libraries. (School, academic, and special libraries also participated in this survey.) Included are: (1) the methodology; (2) an historical development of Oklahoma libraries; (3) the essential elements of…

The major findings and recommendations of a needs assessment study of Oklahoma libraries are summarized. Recommendations focus on public libraries; however, school, academic, and special libraries also participated in this survey. Top priority needs include: more professionally trained librarians; continuing professional education; additional…

A study was made of library services in the Kiamichi Economic Development District of Oklahoma (KEDDO). Since six of the seven counties in the district belonged to the Chocktaw Nation Multi-County Library System (CNMCLS), particular attention was given to the seventh county, Pushmataha. The population, socioeconomic factors, transportation system,…

This document describes Oklahoma Library Technology Network electronic resources for elementary age children. The first section provides a history of Oklahoma statewide shared databases. Oklahoma statewide information database contacts are listed in the second section. The third section presents information on InfoTrac Kid's Edition Online…

Intended for use by state library officials with policy responsibilities, this report presents a process for determining state levels of adequacy of public library services, measuring the current statewide performance, and planning statewide strategies for improving performance. Several facets of library service and resources are addressed, and…

An indepth study was made of each of the 16 libraries in the Association of South Central Oklahoma Governments (ASCOG) region. As an essential aid to library planning, census data was analyzed to determine the social, economic, educational characteristics, and the geographic distribution of the population to be served. The library survey looked at…

Presents an overview of past, present, and future activities involving automation and networking in Oklahoma libraries. Topics include a library technology network concerned with equitable library service; a union list of CD-ROM library holdings; telecommunications infrastructure; telephone charges and Internet access; upgrades of rural library…

This report takes a look at libraries, their facilities and services in the South Western Oklahoma Development Authority (SWODA) district. To provide additional planning data, the population of the SWODA area is analyzed in terms of age, ethnicity, employment, income, education and growth trends. The results of inventory of all existing libraries…