An Analytical Survey Of Illinois Public Library Services To Children

"This revised edition features policy statements, reports, and research studies not readily identified in any one source and serves to update coverage of the print materials listed in Library Service to Children: A Guide to the Research, Planning, and Policy Literature (1992). All electronic sources are new, and the coverage of biographical literature and materials about the history of children's services and children's librarianship has been expanded."--BOOK JACKET.

the findings are presented of 1994 surveys on services and resources for children and young adults (ages 12-18) in public libraries. Each survey was conducted with a different nationally representative sample of public libraries. Data was collected for individual buildings rather than for library systems. Findings indicate the following: (1) children and young adults represent 60% of public library patronage; (2) 30% of public librarians specialize in youth services; (3) 39% of libraries employ a children's librarian, 11% have a young adult librarian, and 24% have a youth services specialist on staff; (4) 30% of all public libraries have only one librarian on staff; (5) ethnic diversity of children and young adult patrons has increased over 40% in the last 5 years; (6) computer technologies are among the most heavily used children's and young adult resources in public libraries and are also the most scarce; (7) many library programs primarily target preschool and kindergarten children; (8) only 76% of public libraries report working with schools; (9) only one in seven libraries offer homework assistance programs; (10) 11% of public libraries have neither a young adult collection or section; and (11) insufficient library staff is a leading barrier to increasing services and resources for children and young adults. Survey data is provided in 21 tables and 14 figures. Appendices present survey methodology and data reliability, a list of tables with standard errors, and survey forms. (AEF)