Circulation
Newspaper subscribers expect on-time delivery, regardless of the size of the newspaper or its frequency of publication. Circulation departments work hard to live up to that expectation.

Circulation directors also have to think about how to reduce churn, drive home-delivery numbers and boost single-copy sales. Developing the "newspaper habit" in the next generation is one of the most important changes facing the newspaper industry today.

The circulation department at the smaller papers may experience their greatest headaches in trying to deal with the U.S. Postal Service with its rate increases and complex mailing requirements. All papers have to be concerned with independent contractor regulations, carrier laws and safety and the increasing limitations placed on them by telemarketing laws.