Public libraries can no longer be all things to all people," they need to set one or two major goals to serve one or two major sectors and give everything they have to this effort. (7 references) (Author/NH)

What is the state of the public library today and what should it be in the future? The need for answers to these questions is the reason for this study. Societal factors affecting the public library are studied. The report examines the development of the public library in the 20-year span since the "Public Library Inquiry" (1950-70), and describes…

Librarians need to switch their identity from operating libraries to providing information services to constituencies of concern. Libraries need to be transformed through the discovery of new meaning, relevancy, and purpose. The process of the White House Conference is a pilot laboratory of a transformation process. (Author/SW)

A study which would illuminate the problems of library service in urban low-income areas by examining a cross section of program approaches, target groups, and scopes of effort is reported in this book. This report is not an evaluation, but rather a pilot exploration of alternative approaches for reaching desired goals. The report is concerned…

As institutional roles change in response to contemporary pressures on them, new opportunities arise for combining forces to achieve common objectives. With today's technological revolution in handling information, the role of the public library is both challenged and reaffirmed. Resources may be allocated from state and national levels of…

Examines changes in the perceptions of public library children's services by library professionals through a content analysis of entries in "Library Literature" since 1958 which refer to children's library services and populations served. The opinions of current library administrators are compared to those of 100 years ago. (EM)

A result of Australia's Community Information Sharing Service (CISS) study of community information services currently being provided by public libraries in New South Wales, this report (one of three) presents five general principles which can assist public libraries with decisions about their response to the issue of the provision of community…

Summarizes findings of a graduate school study on community networks (electronic townhalls) and their involvement with local public libraries. Representatives of 24 networks participated, answering telephone queries on network services, users, goals, funding, governance, technical design, social benefits, government information provision,…

Reviews the role of public libraries in adult literacy and lifelong learning in the 25 years since the signing of the Adult Education Act. Discusses collaborative projects with other government agencies, and the public library's unique role of welcoming patrons whatever their educational needs might be. (43 references/notes) (EA)

A statement of goals, guidelines, and standards for public libraries in the state was developed by the Standards Study Committee, Public Library Section, of the Louisiana Library Association. The goals include the educational, informational, recreational, cultural, and service roles of the library. The guidelines are a detailed description of…

ERIC/CLIS has compiled this bibliography in an effort to assist the members of the library community who are concerned with the role of public libraries. Although unpolished it is hoped that this tool will serve as a general reference source for those who wish to undertake the preparation of critical review articles or substantive state-of-the-art…

General directions are set for the Colorado State Library and for school, academic, public, and special in the state. The results of a needs assessment study are outlined and long-range library goals are delineated. Development plans contain problem statements, goal statements, and possible strategies for solving the problem at the local, state,…