EVALUATING ADULT FICTION IN THE SMALLER PUBLIC-LIBRARY

A study of 195 small and medium-sized public libraries in Wisconsin pr ovides insights into current practices in and concerns about evaluatin g adult fiction collections. The data collection methodology included both the analysis of published information on Wisconsin public librari es and use of a structured survey instrument. Key questions addressed in the study are: (1) Do public libraries systematically evaluate thei r adult fiction collections? (2) If so, how? (3) Are fiction paperback s handled differently than hardcover books? (4) Does the library's pri mary role or mission appear to be related to its adult fiction? (5) Wh at concerns do libraries have about evaluating their adult fiction col lections?