Library Files; Open or Closed to Readers?

At a Newspaper Division meeting of the Special Libraries Association four newspaper librarians presented the pros and cons of closed clipping files. The major point in favor of closed files was that they are not as subject to loss and misfiling as are openfiles. However, with closed files close communication is needed between librarian and reporter in order to provide reporters and feature writers with the most relevant information. It was noted that at some newspaper libraries the lack of staff dictates open files, which makes eliciting the cooperation of reporters in signing out and returning files very important. Other libraries try to provide a research service as well as information retrieval functions. The discussion following the formal presentation covered problems of overdue materials, circulation methods, copying policies, photo files, and microforms. (LS)