Graduate School of Library Science. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Abstract
Library materials for children cannot be considered alone, because the
term library has long implied more than a collection of books. It is fitting
that this topic follows papers discussing goals, facilities, staff, services,
and children themselves. A collection of materials is a means, not an end.
There is evidence that the isolation of materials from the concept
of service is not a new problem. Jesse Shera notes that the development
in the nineteenth century of the American public library began with collections
of books donated by successful businessmen and philanthropists
to uplift the minds of the young. When the Boston Public Library opened
its doors in 1854, however, those under eighteen were not admitted. The
mere fact that collections of materials for youth existed and had encouraged
library development did not mean that children were actually given
service. 1 This paper will attempt to raise questions about materials for
children in today's public library, their characteristics and availability; and
to discuss the relation of materials to other elements of library service.published or submitted for publicatio
