The Children's Librarian As Viewed By Adults Served By Children's Services

Who are the adults using, wanting and interested in public library services to children? What proportion of users do they represent today in library children's rooms? Do librarians perceive the effects of present-day stresses, priorities, understanding and indifference of adults on public library services, both in terms of access and support? Are librarians aware that the field of public policy relating to children has reemerged?1 Answers to questions such as these need to be incorporated in an examination of children's services, present and potential, and of the "ideal" children's librarian. The adults using children's services in Connecticut public libraries are not unlike adults elsewhere. They are parents, teachers (particularly from early childhood education centers), college students, professional workers from community agencies and service organizations, artists (including commercial artists, writers and film-makers), grandparents, and adults seeking beginning-level information or recollecting childhood joys. Some adults are sophisticated library users while others are unfamiliar with the library environment.published or submitted for publicatio