Examines the first libraries established for children in the United States between 1876 and 1900 and discusses various definitions of "children" and "library" as used by early writers. Specific examples of different configurations for children's libraries are described, from book collections without buildings, to separate rooms with professional…

Concludes that too often secondary school and public librarians merely accumulate works of fiction as they appear on the market rather than develop fiction collections. Librarians should use bibliographic aids, patron suggestions, and critical reviews to identify and purchase books to truly develop a collection. (RAA)

Libraries are rated by several gifted children and the parent of a gifted child after which a librarian describes an open access" policy of one library and urges other libraries to consider such a change. (NH)

Reflects on the relationship of the generalist approach to the public library mandate to serve a total community and to the provision of educational, recreational, and informational materials to users. (Author/FM)

Identifies and summarizes the findings of almost 60 research studies, both before and after 1970, of public library service to children and young adults pertaining to administration, public library use, and services and programs. Current trends and research needs are also discussed, and 63 references and a bibliography are included. (RBF)

Describes the combined school and public library in Olney, Texas. The result of a community planning program, the combined facility offers a small town's solution for providing adequate library services for education and general use with limited resources. (RAA)

Service to young adults in German public libraries expanded under the Nazis because of their idealization of youth. The elaborate structure created to propagate Nazi views determined the types of books and services available. Progress resulted from the accommodation to a totalitarian creed that was essentially evil. (EM)

Uses general developmental framework to explain relationship of play, toys, and development of young children, and to support toy lending in libraries. An evaluative approach for library toy selection which is based on meeting children's psychological needs is suggested together with 11 titles to aid librarians in establishing toy-lending…

Describes the various purposes of special collections of children's literature including their value to historians, sociologists, psychologists, artists and authors, their reference purposes, and their value in preserving regional artistic and literary heritages. A bibliography of journal articles, pamphlets, and brochures listed by state is…

Adults have long been aided in their research by the facilities of the local public library, as well as interloan privileges with other libraries. Gifted children must also be given the advantages of these expanded library services so that they too can engage in research of interest to them. (Author/NH)

Library schools were surveyed for 1982-85 data on course offerings, enrollment, faculty characteristics, and continuing education programs in children's and young adult services to determine if there has been actual deterioration. Due to problems with the design and response, the results are a beginning for other researchers to build on. (EM)

This study of ownership of films from 1975-83 Selected Films for Young Adults Committee (SFYA) lists concludes that New York state public and school film libraries do not own majority of SFYA titles: 29 percent were found in public library systems; 11 percent in Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) film collections. (EJS)

Presents biographies of four leaders in public library service to young adults: Mabel Williams, Margaret Scoggin, Jean Roos, and Margaret Edwards. They are described as pioneers who worked to obtain recognition for and establish young adult work and who can serve as inspirations for librarians today. (EM)

Discusses the selection of microcomputer software by school media centers and public libraries that serve children, highlighting commercial software development, the local development of microcomputer programs, and criteria for the selection of software (difficulty level, required peripherals, ease of use, documentation, modification) and the…

Describes a young adult summer reading game which is offered in three age-level versions from grades 1 through 12 at Enoch Pratt Free Library (Maryland). Benefits of young adult reading games in public libraries, game rules and sample questions, and the game finale visit to Walters Art Gallery are highlighted. (EJS)