Since children develop the critical language and early reading skills necessary to enter kindergarten between birth and age five, reading aloud is one of the most influential steps librarians, teachers, parents, and caregivers can take to foster preschoolers' literacy skills. Early exposure to books heavily influences vocabulary knowledge, which…

This circular lists contact organizations, possible volunteer activities, and related publications for individuals interested in volunteering their services on behalf of visually and physically handicapped readers and for libraries interested in starting or expanding volunteer programs. Descriptions of several national organizations concerned with…

Discussion of techniques of response to the reference query from public librarian's point-of-view covers patron's need-motivation; structuring library instruction program (teaching skills related to encyclopedia use, library instruction on special subjects-health); and assisting patron in gathering materials on-site and through use of…

This document discusses the reasons for providing public library service to local jails from the viewpoint of the inmate, the library, and the jail administrator; and provides guidelines for establishing and operating this service. Topics covered include: obtaining approval from library and jail administrators for a library jail program; material…

Quantitative output measures for municipal and county public library services in Wisconsin provide points of reference for libraries to analyze their needs and establish primary service goals based on unique community-targeted services. Traditional input measures are also furnished, which produce various recommended targets, based on the size of…