The following presents a summary of the results of the survey on the treatment of reference and nonfiction resources for children and youth in libraries. It is routinely updated as additional survey responses are received. Your comments or suggestions are welcome Please e-mail messages to Janice Felker jfelker@visi.net.

To date, responses have been received from 9 individuals.

1. At what type of library do you work?
   • Public Library - 7
   • School Library Media Center - 2
   • Other (please specify) - NONE
   
   
2. How does your library classify reference and nonfiction? Choose all options that apply.
   All respondents have nonfiction and reference sections for adults.
   Additional designations being used are summarized below.
   • Easy Nonfiction - 1
   • Easy Reference - 0
   • Juvenile Nonfiction - 6
   • Juvenile Reference - 5
   • Young Adult Nonfiction - 4
   • Young Adult Reference - 0
   
   
3. Who makes selection decisions with respect to children's or young adult material?
   • committee
   • individual (Librarian) - 9*
   • faculty
   • administration
     *In all cases, an individual is ultimately responsible for the orders, but in larger libraries, there is a great deal of input from other library/staff members.
   
   
4. Which review sources do you use in the selection of these materials? For more information on these sources see Selected Sources for Reviews and Information
   • School Library Journal - 8
   • Children's Catalog - 6
   • Book Links - 4
   • Booklist - 7
   • Book Report - 1
   • Publishers Weekly - 2
   • Kirkus - 2
   • Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books - 3
   • VOYA - 4
   • Best Books for Children - 1
   • Horn Book - 4
   • Appraisal - 1
   • Library Journal - 2
   
   
5. Which encyclopedias do you own for the use of children?
   Please list
   • World Book - 8
   • Encyclopedia Britannica - 2
   • Academic American - 3
   • Grolier's Children's Encyclopedia - 3
   • Childcraft - 1
   • Encyclopedia Americana - 5
   • Children's Britannica - 3
   • The New Book of Knowledge - 6
   • Compton's Encyclopedia - 3
   
   
6. If you have a collection development policy with respect to children's and/or young adult's materials, please share a brief description.
   • Policy exists - 4
   • Policy in progress - 2
   
   
7. How would you describe your reference services for children? Elaborate if you wish.
   • The same as for adults - 7
   • More than for adults - 1
   • Less than for adults -1
   
   
8. If you have a policy with respect to helping students with homework, please share it.
   Only one respondant had a written policy. It states that "Homework questions will be treated like all other questions, and staff will work with local schools to prepare for major assignments."
   Two respondants indicated that they have no policy, but often make an effort to help students find the answer on their own if possible.
   
   
9. Which other sources are provided specifically for children or young adults.
   • CD-ROM - 9
   • Electronic - 8
   • Internet Access - 8
   • Periodicals - 8
   • Videos - 7
   • Games/Puzzles and Kits - 6
   • Maps/Atlases - 7
   • Audio Books - 3
   • Music - 3

Treatment in Libraries -- Survey

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