Newer Adult Education Methods and Techniques

cation activities in 1953 by Helen L. Smith l gave for the first time, on a sampling basis, the quantity of newer media methods and tech-niques employed in public libraries in the United States. Four years later as part of a regional study of library needs and resources in the Pacific-Northwest, Mary R. Pamment * found that the audio-visual resources in libraries in that region of the United States were four times greater in 1957, notably in the area of 16 mm. film and 16 mm. film equipment. There was also a clear indication that the number and type of adult education services was in direct relationship to the size of the library, its available resources, and the amount of staff time available for such services. Thus it was found that the libraries which served the largest population groups were able to do the most effective job with adult education activities. Based on interviews, questionnaires, and materials collected through correspondence, Mrs. Pamment devotes a considerable portion of her study to a description of the educational services of the public library. While sufficient attention was directed at the library's relationship to community organizations and adult education agencies, the major concern was the study of the libraries ' own programs and activities. The study revealed that there were differences in opinion among the librarians concerning the function of the library on the community. Whether to emphasize the book collection and the resources of the library, to promote its use, or to extend the services of the library as an educational agency, depended a great deal on the philosophy of the librarians, on their temperaments and their training. Illustrations of these digerences of opinion were found in the programs investi