Collection development in public libraries

This panel discussion featured serials librarians from three different kinds of public, libraries discussing collection development of periodicals. They presented their policies and information regarding practices in public libraries. Similarities and differences were highlighted between a large city system with a central library, a large suburban system without a main library, and a single-building library serving a medium-sized city. Exploration of the topic included questions such as-what's the same, what's different, and what can be learned from each other? Public Libraries serve everyone: college students, children, parents, scholars, business people, new immigrants. How can a periodical collection serve all of these groups?