In one region priority was given to purchasing study material upon request, including curriculum literature when it was a relevant addition to library stock. A certain amount of reference books was also purchased, including encyclopaedias and dictionaries. In the other region money from the project was distributed among the libraries, emphasis being laid on their building up their stock of reference literature. If many students chose the same subject, extra textbooks could also be purchased. Ideally both purchasing methods should be employed in connection with this particular user group.
Adult students are short of time and they visit libraries with a definite purpose in mind.
Being able to supply relevant literature without delay reduces costs and represents in my opinion a very good use of resources. Student training During the project period the intention was to arrange courses to teach students how to search for information, make the best use of the library and update their professional knowledge. On the other hand the plans for training library staff, course organizers and the employment authorities concentrated on the use of Internet and CD-Rom. Experience shows that adult students are more interested in learning study techniques than in how to find their way around a library. They often present a list of literature they require and ask for help in obtaining it as quickly as possible.