The truest meaning of public service was that, although never used by all citizens, it was still available for any citizen. Whether public service in America can survive in the next decade, and maintain its basic altruistic concepts, will be the concern of all librarians. (Author/NH)

Discussion of the public library's need to provide personal and crisis information to teenagers highlights ways to meet their needs, e.g., gaining credibility, promoting services; outreach activities, e.g., booktalking, information resource files; cooperative activities with community services and agencies; and teenagers as a natural resource.…

This essay discusses the Moral Majority's tactics, political goals, and textbook and reading material viewpoints with regard to their effect on public and school libraries. Twelve references are provided. (EJS)

Assesses the state of the public library, briefly reviewing the history of the institution and discussing library purpose, services, and patrons at the present and in the future. Seven references are provided. (EJS)

Examines reduction of public library services as way to deal with problem of higher costs in time of decreasing revenues and discusses the need to understand current economic situation and relationship between public library support and economic prosperity. Economic theories, stagflation, individual prosperity, and ways to plan for austerity are…

Outlines circulation procedures for video games at four public libraries--Arlington Heights Public Library, Illinois; East Brunswick Public Library, New Jersey; South River Public Library, New Jersey; and Cloquet Public Library, Minnesota. Acquisition of materials, insurance fees, loan periods, and use of reserves are noted. (EJS)

Describes selection procedures, including policies and practices, used at El Paso Public Library for the acquisition of English and Spanish materials. (EJS)

Discusses the issues involved in the development of bilingual access to Spanish and bilingual materials held by libraries serving the Spanish speaking, with special reference to California. A progress report on the endeavors of the California Spanish Language Data Base is given. Four references are listed. (Author/LLS)

Describes the outreach programs, special collections and divisions, financial problems, and future of the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library. (CHC)

At a time when property tax valuations and frozen mill levies can't keep pace with the rising costs of library operations, special employment workers at the Parmly Billings Public Library in Montana have helped sustain many programs and activities. This is one of the top five winners in American Libraries' competition to identify innovative…

Reviews the history of state library financial support and argues for direct state aid to all libraries which meet moderate standards. Recent judicial decisions are discussed in this context. (JVP)

Discusses the author's experiences and beliefs regarding the role of the children's librarian in the reviewing and publishing of children's literature, and the goals of public library service for children. (CMV)

Describes the role of the Monroe County Public Library in Bloomington, Indiana, in the development of a Community Access Channel through a local cable television (CATV) franchise. The services offered on the channel, the resources required, and the potential of the channel as a community communications resource are outlined. (JL)

Examines, within the U.S. and selected regions, nine basic characteristics of social systems that are frequently mentioned as causes of differences in library development. A comparative procedure was used to identify those variables with universal explanations. Results indicate the most critical variable was level of formal education. Twenty-eight…

Provides a sense of scope and direction of rural public library extension services through the presentation of a library survey dealing with bookmobile programs, books-by-mail services, and the provision of services in general. (FM)