The papers presented focus on the library acquisition, processing, and use of alternative publications, which include small press and other materials produced by non-standard, non-establishment groups or individuals. In "Libraries and Alternatives: An Essay," Patricia Glass Schuman discusses the importance of alternative publications and the role of libraries in making these publications available. James Danky, in "The Acquisition of Alternative Materials," describes increasing conglomeration in the publishing industry, library acquisition and jobber procedures which inhibit alternative press entry into the library market, and censorship. Lists of alternative review media and selection tools and alternative press distributors are also provided. In "Access to Alternatives: New Approaches in Cataloging," Sanford Berman provides guidelines for cataloging radical materials with comparative examples of alternative and standard treatments (based on Library of Congress and OCLC rules). Elliott Shore and Daniel Tsang, in "Reference Service for Alternative Publications," discuss the placing of alternative publications in special collections, networking among libraries with alternative collections, indexes, bibliographic verification tools, general reference works, and specialized reference works in alternative literature and lifestyles, energy and technology, the women's and gay liberation movements, third world movements, and radical politics. A 135-item bibliography and a brief description of the Alternative Acquisitions Project, based at Temple University (Pennsylvania) are also provided. (ESR)