To assist the librarians of Poland in their transition to a new philosophy and practice in their field, librarians at Jagiellonian University in Cracow, Poland, and UB have jointly edited a book, "The Role of Libraries in the Democratic Process."

Published this spring by Jagiellonian University Press, the book is a collection of essays by librarians and library professors at both schools that explores such issues as the role of libraries as a vital force in democracies, the development of balanced collections, theories of scientific librarianship, contemporary library trends and philosophies that promote full participation of the electorate in a library system.

Articles appear in Polish or English, with summaries in the alternate language.

The book is one result of a three-year, library-faculty exchange program between UB and Jagiellonian. It was co-edited by Maria Koc÷jowa, professor and chair of Jagiellonian's Department of Library and Information Science, and George S. Bobinski, dean of the UB School of Information and Library Studies.

Contributors are faculty members of both institutions and practicing librarians from both countries. Several, including Koc÷jowa and Bobinski, participated in the ongoing exchange program.

UB faculty who contributed articles are: Bobinski; Susan Hildenbrand, associate professor of information and library studies; William McGrath, professor of library science; Lorna Peterson, assistant professor of information and library studies; A. Neil Yerkey, associate professor of information and library studies; Barbara von Wahlde, director of University Libraries. Jagiellonian University librarians who contributed include: Koc÷jowa; Sabina Arcisz, assistant professor of library and information science; Wanda Pindlowa, professor of library and information science.