Examines demographic and economic trends of rural areas nationally, in the Northeast, and in Pennsylvania, and discusses the impact of these trends on rural library planning and services. Four options for developing rural library policy and implementing quality library services are outlined. (55 references) (CLB)

Though amended in 1973, the Older Americans Act of 1965 has not met the needs of the rural elderly and was, consequently, the subject of these hearings by the Senate's Special Committee on Aging which consider proposed legislation under Title III of the Act to gain support for demonstration programs to assist older rural people and to improve the…

Four major concerns are currently shaping national rural development policy: (1) rural population and employment are increasingly diverse but physical isolation and low population density limit essential public services; (2) many geographically concentrated rural communities continue to have high rates of very low income; (3) rural governments are…