Provides an approach to dealing with donations and special collections for public libraries serving all sizes of communities with varying levels of funding. Highlights include guidelines for when to accept special collections, how to identify areas of need in the library's collection, and a special collection proposal form. (EM)

Presents information about the psychological impact of unemployment and emphasizes the importance of aiming public library programs and materials at the appropriate level of user need. A needs-analysis approach to providing information services is proposed, and examples of programs and publications developed in Ontario public libraries are given.…

Discussion of implications of highly decentralized nature of local government for collection of local documents highlights meaning of access, effect of local government environment on access to local government information, library responses, and tools that can assist libraries in increasing citizen and government access to local government…

As part of a pilot project sponsored by the Asian Pacific American Librarians Association, the needs assessment study described in this report set out to determine (1) the library and information needs of Asian Americans, and how they differ from the needs of the majority population, (2) whether these needs are being met, and (3) how librarians…

This paper examines the reasons for and the means of providing public library service to business and industry. It discusses the organization of a business and industry service, staff qualifications and training, and the composition of the collection. The importance of studies and surveys to determine the information and service needs of the…

Surveys Australian public library services to ethnic groups, including library-based activities, community information services, libraries of ethnic communities, and service to aborigines. More than 50 references are cited. (FM)

Distributed on a random basis to 3,000 patrons, this survey was conducted to provide the administration of the Edmonton Public Library with a comprehensive evaluation of the service the library provides to the public. The results, which were tabulated using frequency distribution tables and which make up the major part of the report, are presented…

Explores how public libraries have dealt with the AIDS epidemic, examines the publication of articles on AIDS in periodicals and books, and reports the results of a survey of public libraries that was conducted to determine when and how librarians have responded to information needs on the AIDS epidemic. (Contains 11 references.) (LRW)

Describes the process followed in developing the materials selection policy used by the Leon County Public Library, so as to demonstrate how a policy responsive to adult interests evolved and continues to change as adult needs and interests change. Seven references are listed. (Author/LLS)

Describes the development of the Rural Issues Collection by the Central Kansas Library System, which is meant to deal with the problems of rural residents going through transition. The discussion covers the cooperative relationship developed between the library system and the extension service to make residents aware of library resources and…

An in-depth examination of Henry County and the Blue Ridge Regional Library in Virginia was conducted to assess the effectiveness, needs, and objectives of the library. Included are a brief history of Henry County, its physical, social, and economic characteristics and projections, and an evaluation of district census data. A detailed description…

This community analysis was conducted in order to characterize and identify the information needs of the Wakefield community, and library services and use were evaluated to determine how well the library meets these needs. The study included an examination of the history of the town and its physical characteristics, economic development, and…

Describes programs developed at Houston Public Library to meet information needs of the immigrant population. Highlights include serving students, children's and young adult collections of foreign language materials, folklore and cultural materials, developing staff expertise, English-language materials, audiovisual support materials, and foreign…

Little is known about the information needs and information-seeking strategies of dance professionals. Dance, an interdisciplinary subject that draws from music, theater, and anatomy and physiology, among other disciplines, has only recently begun to be taken seriously as an academic discipline. This preliminary study explores the extent to which…

Describes series of videocassette projects introduced in 1982 by the King County Library System (Seattle, Washington) leading to current collection of over 5,600 tapes. Population in library system's service area, exploration of marketplace, purchasing, library role, product packaging, circulation and overdue policies, demand for tapes, and…