How do news librarians decide what to file?
A1. To decide what to file, news librarians must first determine whom the library serves and what are these users’ needs. There are two ways to find out: surveying library users to see what they would like to see clipped and filed from the newspaper, and/or keeping a log of information requests. News library users are generally members of the news writing, editing and photographic staffs in the main office as well as in the bureaus. But sometimes members of other departments, such as marketing, circulation and advertising may also use the news library. Clients’ needs, as well as the budget, dictate what should be clipped and filed. Large newspapers archive most materials that are published. Smaller papers, limited by small budgets and staffs, tend to be more selective in what they file. Q2.
