The five papers in this collection were presented to a group of Directors and Coordinators of Children's Work representing large, medium, and county public libraries, as well as representatives from state libraries and library schools, who attended the President's Preconference. Topics presented include (1) a review of the development of children's librarianship and major trends in this century; (2) a discussion of the current literature on the field; (3) the role of supervisors and coordinators in the development of children's services and ways to meet the threat posed by a tendency to strengthen central libraries at the expense of branches; (4) the findings of a study in which librarians ranked the desirability of such trends as emphasis on materials through increased use of paperbacks, non-book materials, or electronic devices; cooperation with other agencies serving children; and emphasis on meeting recreational rather than curricular needs; (5) the changing role or function of the central children's library in 27 urban libraries in the United States and two in Canada that were studied; and (6) areas for research, such as the attitudes, training, and concerns of the children's librarian; knowledge and understanding of the organization out of which the children's library operates; and the children themselves. Recommendations to the profession reported by eight discussion groups which met following the presentations are included. (MBR)