Discusses the role of rural public libraries in the information age. Characteristics of rural communities that library planners should consider are conservatism, the lack of professionally trained librarians, library trustee involvement, the need for marketing, and gender balance. Suggestions for recreating rural libraries and providing…

Librarians tend to view themselves as agents, advocates, or promoters of educational and cultural processes, and these functions are important; but rural librarians can and should play a broader role in the community, including a role in community development activities. As information specialists, librarians have access to critical resources for…

This document consists of the two issues of the biannual serial "Rural Libraries" published during 1992. The issues contain three articles and seven speeches and conference papers. The articles describe: (1) how strong community support led to the development of a library on the Glasgow campus of Western Kentucky University; (2) a report of the…

Describes the general situation of information services in rural public libraries in the context of the changing nature of rural America. Highlights include the development of rural communities and libraries; public expectations and information needs; barriers to information access; and examples of successful rural reference services. (Contains 31…