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A review of demographic characteristics of the Lewis and Clark region of North Dakota indicated several obstacles to improved library service, including a large number of rural residents, a wide variety of people, and expected large scale development. Review of current library resources in the region showed that outside of Bismarck and Mandan they are uneven and inadequate. As part of this study a mail survey of a sample of households, a survey of users of the 12 libraries, and a survey of students in selected high schools were conducted. Conclusions reached from these surveys included the following: (1) for most persons in the region the library is not a primary information source; (2) the public library is unused by 75% of the people and used intensively by 10%; (3) ages of primary library users are 15-19 and 25-30; (4) educational level and library use are related; (5) professionals, housewives, and students are the most active library users; and (6) traditional library services are those most desired by respondents. Further study of information needs and library use in the area was recommended, along with improved legal and physical library access for all residents of the region and regional planning for cooperative library service. (PF)

A brightly colored van with an enthusiastic, interracial staff carries the Yonkers Public Library program to its populous inner-city neighborhood. The Minimobile carries a paperback book collection and audiovisual equipment. Its multilingual staff presents programs designed to attract new library users. The van stops at daycare centers, schools, housing projects, and service centers. Community acceptance of the Minimobile and increased library use by Black and Spanish-speaking residents demonstrate the success of the service. (PF)

A family education program based principally upon reading is outlined in this paper. Following a discussion of the program's background and of proposals for its expansion, the paper describes booklets used in a campaign designed to help parents understand their role in their children's education. The following section outlines new methods of book distribution used in the program, including the use of school bookstore programs and paperback racks in day care centers, and discusses the cost of these methods. The final section covers the role of the American Reading Council in informing parents, librarians, educators, and the general public about how to operate the programs and about other programs that are successful in getting people to read. (FL)

This booklet includes a brief history of the Northern Illinois Bookmobile Group, as well as national and regional notes on bookmobile activities, programs, publicity, summer reading clubs, and bookmobile maintenance. Findings of a 1978 bookmobile survey conducted by the Des Plaines Public Library are summarized, providing data on 31 bookmobile programs in the midwest. The booklet displays sample designs for bookmarks and publicity graphics, and lists the addresses of Illinois libraries and library systems that sponsor bookmobile services. (FM)

Developed to assist Alabama libraries in their choice of delivery systems to bring library services to isolated populations and to provide guidance for better utilization of library resources, this statewide study examines books by mail and bookmobile systems. Although bookmobile services are better received by users, they are more costly than books by mail, and neither of these services is currently reaching a substantial portion of its potential users. Books by mail programs suffer from confusing and incomprehensible catalogs. While not recommending either service as preferred for a particular library, libraries should establish relative costs and should avoid sole reliance on one form to the exclusion of all others. Libraries should strive to create public acceptance through better public relations; imaginative and attractive catalogs; and by providing library materials, including reference items, that appeal to the established tastes of their patrons. The study includes a summary of previous studies, the research design of this study, analyses of the characteristics of the respondents and the library system, and cost analyses of the major delivery systems. Four appendices provide a supplementary survey of leisure time activities, opinions of library staffs and community leaders, a data analysis, and the survey instruments. (RAA)

This review and evaluation of bookmobile service in Madison, Wisconsin (1) identifies the major issues and problems which exist in regard to urban bookmobile service in general and those which are specific to Madison; (2) evaluates the current bookmobile service against community needs, library objectives, program purposes, and cost effectiveness; (3) discusses alternative methods for accomplishing the purposes and activities of the bookmobile; (4) makes recommendations for service improvements; (5) identifies areas for further study; and (6) identifies options for future bookmobile service. Data were gathered through interviews, surveys, and site visits. A bibliography lists 12 sources, and appendices include a route map, a statement of goals, sample schedules, and an organizational chart. (FM)

This second annual edition, published by the bookmobile librarians of Northern Illinois LACONI-Outreach, provides questions to test bookmobile publicity, an outline of traditional publicity modes, descriptions of bookmobile programs, a discussion of bookmobiles versus books by mail and branch libraries, circulation cost comparisons, hints for "creative economics," and a discussion of using computers on bookmobiles. Examples of bookmobile and engine and body maintenance charts are included as well as bookmobile features offered by the manufacturers and recommended generator repair companies. A directory of bookmobiles in the United States and a bibliography are provided. (RBF)

Education for Survival (EFS) was a project, funded under ESEA Title II, to provide elementary and secondary school teachers in District 50 of Colorado with multimedia materials on environmental education. Materials were stored and delivered to the schools in a mobile educational resources center/classroom (ECO-EMM). The bulk of this document consists of an annotated listing of the instructional media and kits carried in the ECO-EMM. Listing is by call number, with grade level, subject and title indexes, plus a separate title list of 16mm films. The EFS project proposal is appended. (SL)

Objective of the Four Corners Mobile Library Project, which has been in operation for over 2 years, is to adequately and effectively meet the informational needs of the area. During 1971-72, the Four Corners Bookmobile service on the Navajo and Hopi Reservations was expanded to include an additional bookmobile and 3 additional staff members to serve the increased informational and recreational reading interests of those living in the project's area. The 2 bookmobiles in operation were able to provide more adequate service in the form of more frequent visits, better staffing, and a resulting higher quality of service. With the added staff, facilities, and equipment, it was possible to provide a wider variety of services to the area's residents. This was evident with the rising number of users and the increasing rate of special requests for materials not on the bookmobiles. Efforts were made to reach more non-users in order to meet the project's objective. This 1971-72 final report discusses the project's physical facilities, staff activities, collections, circulation, special programs, communications, public relations and publicity, consultant services, and fiscal information. Publicity samples, circulation statistics, fiscal report and inventory, and samples of bookmobile schedules are given in the appendices. (NQ)

The study's purpose was to: (1) determine how the library as an institution can become more responsive to the needs of migrant agricultural workers and families; (2) explore the problems which inhibit the extension of these services; and (3) discover what programs now exist in libraries, public institutions, and private agencies which provide recreational, educational, or informational services for migrants. Data were obtained from 48 of the 70 questionnaires mailed to the six counties or regions with the largest concentration of migrants in Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York. Background information on the migrant worker and his problems was obtained from some 70 State, Federal, private, and individual sources. Information about services for migrants was also requested from state libraries in Delaware, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, North Carolina, and Florida. Some findings were: (1) in order to serve migrants effectively, the library must provide appropriate materials such as nonprint media, easy-to-read books of interest to adults, and Spanish language materials; and (2) depending on the library hierarchy's superstructure, general responsibility for reaching these populations was assigned variously to state library extension services or to regional or county libraries. (NQ)

The bookmobile of Lancaster County Library (Pennsylvania) provides library services to the home schooled children of isolated, rural communities. Home schooling and bookmobile usage have increased proportionally, and bookmobiles act as "library periods" for the home schooled, provide materials to support curricula, and supply recreational reading. Patrons enjoy convenient, personalized service, and automation and technology has increased efficiency. (LAM)

The Kalamazoo Public Library recently won an election that increased local library tax support from 2.8074 mills to 4 mills. Knowing why the election was being held, when information on the issue(s) would be communicated to voters, and how the information would be disseminated contributed to its success. The funding provides for renovations, a new bookmobile, and additional library materials, programs, and staff. (Author/AEF)