The results of a survey of the New York Metropolitan Reference and Research Library Agency (METRO) and selected Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member-libraries concerning the selection tools they use the most frequently in acquiring new materials are tabulated in this guide. The categories covered by the survey are based on the Library of…

This study examines patron preference for abridged versus unabridged audiobooks, looking at patron usage over time and noting any changes in preference and why they occurred. A survey was conducted at the four branches of the Geauga County Public Library System (Geauga County, Ohio) with a random sample of adult patrons. Of the 274 surveys…

Discusses results of a Web-based survey that was conducted to determine the extent to which Canadian public libraries are collecting multilingual materials, methods used to select materials, and whether public librarians are prepared to provide multilingual clientele with adequate materials and services. Examines constraints preventing public…

Reports on a survey of the book collection at the Wellsley Free Library (MA) to ascertain the age and physical condition of the collection and causes of damage. Cost implications and proposed solutions are discussed, and the significance of the findings for public libraries is considered. (five references) (MES)

Reports on the third "Library Journal" survey of public and academic audiovisual specialists and media librarians, which focused on the long-term outlook for audiocassette and videocassette collections. The survey covered present and planned budgets, circulation growth, selection criteria, theft, damage, competition from local stores,…

Reports on a study assessing the impact of the June 1973 and subsequent U.S. Supreme Court obscenity decisions on public and school libraries and trade bookstores. (Author/PF)

A survey of the present reference resources was conducted as part of the Appalachia Improved Reference Services, a federally funded program to up-grade reference services in eight libraries in four counties in East Central Ohio. General recommendations include: (1) the libraries need recent materials, especially text type materials in the basic…

As educational and cultural centers, public libraries are in the mainstream of American life. Persistent library crime, such as pilferage, theft and vandalism, represents much more than financial loss. It deprives the public of access to irreplaceable books, rare manuscripts and other reference materials. Equally important, it inflicts hardships…

Library use is declining in the United States because print media is no longer the preferred media of a large majority of the population. Of the wide variety of media used for information, instruction, and entertainment, only a small variety is available through the public library. Selection of appropriate media formats for library acquisition…

This study was conducted between May 1968 - June 1969 to investigate the individual and differing book ordering procedures, book ordering stationery, and book servicing requirements by public library systems of the United Kingdom. To help aid the standardization of forms, a questionnaire was sent to one-third of all public libraries in the United…

Reports on third annual mini-survey on religious books in 30 public libraries across nation covering seven areas: regularity of purchase of religious materials; percentage of book budget used; percentage of circulation; collection policies; gifts; patron demand; attempt to "balance" book collection on certain issues; pressure from…

Presents results of survey of 52 public libraries designed to determine which circulation and overdues activities affected overdue rate. Tables summarize findings on mean overdues rate, and effects of charging fines, restricting borrowing privileges, loan period, renewing books, notices sent, telephoning, court cases, population serviced, and…

Presented here are the results of a systematic attempt to document on a national scale the existence, quality, and quantity of library service provided to an often neglected segment of the public: the inmates, both adult and juvenile, housed in city and county jails, detention centers, work farms, half-way houses, diagnostic treatment centers, or…

A survey of the ownership and use of experimental films by 22 libraries in New York State concludes that the keys to increased access and use of these films are substantial state or regional backup collections available at low or no cost to individual systems; provision of promotional and educational materials to advertise these works to patrons…

This report discusses the following aspects of New York Public Library systems: services, resources, organization and government, accessibility, users and uses, role of the state, management, finance, special problems of New York City libraries, and trends. Information was collected mainly during late 1964 and 1965 and was gathered from local…