The purpose of this institute, attended by librarians, trustees, library school faculty and students, and representatives from Headstart and other programs, was to describe the environment of the disadvantaged, to define the role of the public library in serving the various elements within this group, and to identify feasible services to fulfill this role. Papers presented at the institute covered these topics: (1) aspects of the disadvantaged child's environment and self-concept and suggestions for ways that a librarian can gain acceptance in a low-income neighborhood, from a social worker's viewpoint; (2) the inhibiting effects of a deprived environment on the development of reading skills and positive reading attitudes; (3) the library as a community cultural center, with concentration on communication instead of book-provision; (4) the public library's responsibility to the disadvantaged and a description of specific programs; (5) obstacles encountered by the Operation Head Start project at the Queensborough Public Library; and (6) the importance of involving young people themselves in program planning. (JB)