NCJ Number
58294
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
SOURCES OF INFORMATION FOR SMALL POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND THE ADVANTAGES OF POLICE LIBRARIES ARE DISCUSSED BY PARTICIPANTS IN AN INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE WORKSHOP.
Abstract
THE DIRECTOR OF TRAINING FOR THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY SUGGESTS SOURCES OF INFORMATION FOR POLICE DEPARTMENTS THAT CANNOT AFFORD TO MAINTAIN THEIR OWN LIBRARIES. THESE SOURCES INCLUDE STATE AGENCIES (LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OTHERS), LOCAL PUBLIC LIBRARIES (WHICH CAN ARRANGE FOR INTERLIBRARY LOANS OF LEGAL OR PROFESSIONAL JOURNALS REQUESTED BY POLICE), UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES (PARTICULARLY THOSE IN SCHOOLS WITH CRIMINAL JUSTICE OR POLICE SCIENCE PROGRAMS), LAW LIBRARIES, AND POLICE TRAINING ACADEMIES. A LIBRARIAN WITH THE LOS ANGELES, CALIF., POLICE DEPARTMENT LISTS INDICATIONS THAT A POLICE AGENCY COULD BENEFIT FROM ESTABLISHING ITS OWN LIBRARY (E.G., FREQUENT PURCHASES OF DUPLICATE COPIES OF BOOKS AND MAGAZINES, FAILURE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FREE OR INEXPENSIVE INFORMATION, LARGE EXPENDITURES ON TELEPHONE CALLS IN SEARCH OF STATISTICS THAT SHOULD BE READILY ACCESSIBLE). STEPS TO BE TAKEN BY POLICE MANAGERS WHO DECIDE TO ESTABLISH DEPARTMENTAL LIBRARIES ARE OUTLINED. THE ECONOMIES TO BE ENJOYED THROUGH SUCH LIBRARIES--DISCOUNTS ON BOOKS, INTERLIBRARY LOAN PARTICIPATION, SAVINGS IN RESEARCH TIME, ETC.--ARE NOTED. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT LIBRARY SERVICE IS NEITHER A LUXURY NOR AN EXTRAVAGANCE, BUT RATHER A NECESSITY FOR PROFESSIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT. (LKM)