"No One Wants To See Them":

With the continuing trend of deinstitutionalizing persons with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities, and the development of community based housing and social services to these populations, libraries are acquiring potential users with special needs which many libraries and their collective staffs are ill prepared to serve. This article describes these populations, examines some of the information needs, and presents methods of providing service and a rationale for community outreach. The state program in Rhode Island is outlined, describing efforts to reach community residents through their public libraries and the state operated Bookmobile.