The appearance of nonprint media in children's libraries as well as the open space approach (unified library without walls) have marked out new paths for children's libraries. This resulted in changes in the attitude of librarians (e.g, the application of media pedagogy beside library pedagogy) and in readers' service as well. The author describes foreign trends and examples, then summarises the changes Hungarian children's libraries have gone through, The age of children's library users sometimes increases, at other times decreases. The author made a survey in 17 county, 46 town and 14 village libraries regarding the operation, tasks, and role of children's libraries, and the age of their users. Some places there is no lower limit to the use of the library, in other places it is three years. The Upper limit is also flexible: 14, 16, or 18 years respectively. The growing significance of personal relationships is also an observable trend, as well as the fact that less time must be spent on training in library use supporting education since the level of school libraries is improving. However, it needs consideration what new tasks follow from the National Core Curriculum for children's libraries. Children's libraries must have the satisfaction of the personal interest of children as their primary aim, while school Iibraries will remain bases supporting education. The space, equipment, and the collection of the children's Iibrary must adapt better to the age and needs of children (e.g. space suitable for manual work, possibility for playing with puppets, playful programmes, the use of computers, etc.)