A group of students in the course dealt with the fundamental question of the public library's role in satisfying societal needs. Each of the students set out to explore the family, social, occupational and political world of an important social group. Members of two of the groups - the urban Negro and the blue collar worker - appeared to be either…

New York State has a longstanding commitment to library and media service to the blind and visually handicapped; in fact, the service is generally known to be the first such program organized by any state. Going back to 1896, it was another of the innovations of Melvil Dewey. This report describes the present state of library service to the blind…

The question to be examined in this essay is whether the practice of scientific libraries (including special libraries and documentation) can rely on well-founded and developed theoretical works or studies as regards the conception of development, the requirements of the scientific and technical revolution, its place in the social division of…

The concept paper prepared by the American Geological Institute (AGI) Committee on Geoscience Information is evaluated and areas which need more detailed plans if the geoscience community is to be persuaded of the need for a library network are discussed. For example: the concept plan does not display adequate awareness or concern for the role of…

A brief review of the recent years of civil dissent and conflict in the U.S. and the underground press movement is presented as an introduction to this proposal that the university library of the State University of New York at Buffalo establish a system to acquire and house alternative materials. The author, assistant reference librarian,…

Regional conferences on the Right to Read Effort were held with the purpose of having reading specialists address librarians concerning the peoples' right to read. One paper of this volume surveys reading in America, outlines problems of extending the right to read to all, and indicates possible means of action. Another entry views the library as…

Following a brief review of the current Louisiana library system at all levels (both public and private), needs, goals, objectives, and implementation suggestions are made in the following areas: personnel; library materials; service to the disadvantaged, the blind and physically handicapped, and the health and correctional institutions;…

Examines the information-gathering habits of individuals, the communications environment of modern society, and the role of the public library in these contexts. (CWM)

Reports the recent developments in the UAP program in Great Britain and Europe and suggests methods of solving the present problems. (JVP)

A general overview of the state library agencies includes their organization and services, place in state government, problems, and potential. Tables are utilized. (Author/MBR)

Sweden has special, public, and academic libraries. Staff for each is recruited from different groups of people and trained in different ways, according to the special requirements, goals, and philosophy of each type of library. This article focuses primarily on information and documentation centers and research libraries. (JPF)

Presentation of a scenario in which a city council imposes fees for public library services without consulting the library director or trustees is followed by three analyses of the situation, and ways in which it should be handled by the library director are suggested. (CLB)

Examines library services to Hispanic Americans in general, with reference to the predominantly Hispanic community served by the public library at Fabens, Texas. The concepts of ethnic competence, cultural awareness, and cross-cultural service are discussed in this context. (18 references) (MES)

Discusses the importance of educational and career counseling, and suggests that public libraries take a more active role in providing educational and job information for patrons. (CLB)

Examines the origins of the new emphasis on information in the public library through the work of such authors as Alvin Toffler and John Naisbitt. The effects of technological change on the future of the public library and the role of the library in meeting society's information needs are considered. (MES)