Common Public Policy Issues Faced by the Nation’s Communities: Forging a Viable Public Library Response

Several factors, including the return of many public policy decisions to local communities, an increased knowledge of the information needs associated with public policy decision making, and the increasing availability of electronic means of increasing access to public policy information combine to create a set of conditions which will facilitate the development of a viable public library response to the needs associated with increasing access to this information. This article draws on several studies for data on user needs and library activity. It suggests approaches which can be used by public libraries.