A general statement of standards designed to cover library services in a variety of health care institutions ranging from hospitals to home care programs is presented. Detailed outlines of activities with guidelines for the formulation of library programs suited to individual institution goals are provided. All health care institution libraries generally provide two services: (1) staff education, and (2) patient therapy. Radical changes in concepts of patient care and in health education made it more feasible to consider library services as a part of overall patient care. This unified concept makes it possible to recommend a single set of standards for all health care libraries. The four principal criteria of these standards are: (1) a qualified professional librarian, (2) coordination of the library with other service units, (3) comprehensive planning for total service, and (4) utilization of state libraries as consultants in maintaining standards. When it is not possible to employ a full-time, professional librarian, the following should be considered: (1) use of consultant service or supervisory personnel, (2) sharing resources and services by two or more health care institutions, and (3) use of services supplied through a regional library system. (Author/NH)