In comparing methods of allocating service transaction costs among member libraries of interlibrary systems, questions of how costs are to be estimated, and what cost elements are to be included are critical. Different approaches of estimation yield varying results. Actual distribution of units accounts for greatest variance in allocations. (CDD)

These five papers by speakers at the Small Computers in Libraries 1987 conference include: "Acquiring and Using Shareware in Building Small Scale Automated Information systems" (Samuels); "A Software Lending Collection" (Talab); "Providing Subject Access to Microcomputer Software" (Mitchell); "Interfacing Vendor…

Three articles describe procedures used for retrospective conversion: MITINET/retro system in Wisconsin and efforts to create statewide bibliographic database; retrocon process for Library Computer System circulation/resource-sharing system in Illinois academic libraries; use of REMARC to build online catalog at Johns Hopkins University. Authority…

Describes the Maggie III automated library system, which supports a public access catalog, cataloging interface, bibliographic maintenance, circulation, electronic mail, and community information databases, with acquisitions and serials modules planned. Sidebars describe the community information database's structure, planned use of software by…

A study was conducted to determine if the centralization of braille operations for the national free library program would be feasible, economical, and desirable. This report presents the findings of the study in three sections. Section 1 provides background information, a summary of the first phase of operations, and the study objective for phase…

Two strategies used by the Stevens Institute of Technology (New Jersey) library to manage acquisition of periodicals are described. The first involved a study of circulation of existing titles to pare unused subscriptions, and a concurrent monitoring of faculty research productivity. The second was a shift in resources to electronic media and…

Discusses aspects of collection management that can be supported by the use of online catalogs, including access to the collection, building library networks, and integrating circulation and acquisitions systems. The use of microcomputers as an alternative to online systems is explored, and a list of software packages is provided. (CLB)