An investigation of the management and utilization of children's periodicals

This study explored the management and utilization of children's periodicals in school library media centers that serve any combination of grades kindergarten through five. Information was attained through the use of a questionnaire mailed to 156 Missouri Association of School Librarians who served the targeted area. Ninety-five (61%) usable surveys were returned.; Eighty-two percent of the library media specialists subscribed to 10 (21%) of the periodical titles listed. Recreational reading was perceived by 94 (99%) of the library media specialists as the primary use of children's periodicals by children; 74 (78%) of the library media specialists perceived that children's periodicals were primarily used by teachers for curriculum. Sixty-nine (73%) of the library media specialists indicated that they permit periodicals to be checked out by students. Fifty-seven (60%) of the library media specialists indicated that they do subscribe to at least one periodical index. Eighty-nine percent of the library media specialists indicated that they retained back issues of children's periodicals.