The role of the library to collect, catalog, and dispense information has a new application in several communities around the country: providing the local citizens with information on governmental and social services vital to life in the community. At least a dozen new community information centers have been established in urban areas with various funding sources and administrative organizations. The future of the public library as one of perhaps several dispensaries of community information is promising, as there is a need for such services and many libraries are ready to meet this need. With sufficient attention given to staff training, staff for these programs may be recruited from the neighborhood. Not every library is suited to this utilization, nor should be. Information on community resources is often not in print, and must be sought out, compiled, and continuously updated. Computers are well suited to this sort of function, and, once put into a computer, these services can be sold. It is recommended that librarians develop methods of cost accounting on the services to aid in future program development. (KC)