Book excerpt: Abstract: Background information, characteristic features, and the design and effective use of instructional materials centers, are described for librarians, media specialists, teachers, and students. Such centers provide the support needed to ensure that the curricular endeavors of the school are met, through activities involving circulation, coordination, inservice education, consultation, and local production of instructional materials. Use and selection of the instructional materials are coordinated with radio and television programs. Hence, these centers have developed from the concept of traditional library functions into the use of instructional materials centers. Case studies and future trends also are discussed briefly. (wz).