Newsstand Magazines and the Public Library

Abstract

Between November 1977 and February 1978 sixty-three major American public libraries were surveyed concerning their holdings of the fifty-five leading mass consumer magazines sold on the newsstand. The 97 percent response is discussed and tabulated as is the coverage of the titles in eight popular magazine indexes. For ease of discussion the fifty-five titles surveyed are grouped into fourteen subject categories and the results of the survey summarized. It is concluded that the major public libraries in the United States adequately represent the current state of the nation's popular culture as reflected in newsstand sales of popular magazines.