Using microcomputers in libraries, media centers, and learning resource centers is viewed to be not as difficult as previously thought, due to all the possible levels of involvement. Urges libraries to purchase microcomputers now to get an early start. (MP)

This report provides data on the resources and expenditures of libraries in 160 state institutions in New York for the year 1985-86 and in 171 institutions for 1986-87. Six state departments are represented: Correctional Services, Education, Health, Mental Health, Youth, and the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. Data…

Presents a model that calculates the conditions under which a library may adopt a highly service-oriented online catalog access policy at minimum additional cost. The use of arrival rates, service rates, and queueing calculations to arrive at a cost-effective policy is explained. (Author/CLB)

Argues that librarians need to be concerned with cost analysis of library functions and services because, in the allocation of resources, decision makers will favor library managers who demonstrate understanding of the relationships between costs and productive outputs. Factors that should be included in a reliable scheme for cost accounting are…

Intended to stimulate further thinking on the part of the community of scholars who must have a voice in selection strategies, this report addresses: (1) the distinction between preservation (saving the content of a brittle book) and conservation (saving the original item); (2) differences in the needs and objectives of preservation across the…

Summarizes three conference presentations on the effects of the economic climate on academic libraries in Iowa. These presentations focused on the impact of austerity budgets on collection development, library services and personnel, and possible management approaches to retrenchment in these areas. (CLB)

Describes management techniques used by administrators of special libraries to meet library standards while facing drastic reductions in budgets and staff. Ways of managing library acquisitions, stretching staff utilization, and assigning additional responsibilities to special librarians are suggested. (CLB)

Information presented in this report is taken from the 1986 Annual Report/System Membership Applications submitted by public libraries in Texas. The report is divided into five sections which contain: (1) general information, including listings of the Texas State Library governing or advisory committees; the Texas State Library Administrative…

Discusses philosophy and economics of charging users for library services. Free services are advocated for reasons of equal access and intellectual freedom, and alternatives to charging are suggested, citing Seattle Public Library as an example. Opinions and statistics on library fees excerpted from the current literature are included. (CDD)

This report presents the results of an on-site investigation of the provision of library services to distance education students in Canada, which was conducted to obtain information for use in developing a similar program for the off-campus higher education program offered by the National Institute for Higher Education (NIHED) in Ireland.…

This new edition retains the underlying principles which distinguished the earlier volume: the impact of the economic environment on libraries, the interrelations of financial and service planning, attention to budgeting, and realistic appraisal of the prospects for the support of libraries. Added to this foundation are the economic and…

A Systems and Procedures Exchange Center (SPEC) survey conducted in 1986 investigated the collection and use of management statistics in Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member libraries, and SPEC Kit #134 (May 1987) summarized the kinds of statistics collected and the reasons given by the 91 respondents for collecting them. This more…

This interlibrary loan (ILL) cost study was conducted at Union College Library in Schenectady, New York, in order to provide immediate feedback about ILL as well as to serve as a potential management tool for library and college administrators. This report describes the financial statistics of a 3-year period of use of ILL services at this small,…

Focuses on techniques used to gather data on costs of library and information services. Uses of library cost data are identified, including setting prices for services, making informed management decisions, and communicating with funding agencies. (CLB)

Reviews arguments for and against fees for online services and describes a supply side model in which the library absorbs the costs of online searching. The implementation of this policy at an academic library is evaluated and detailed guidelines for implementing such a policy are provided. (CLB)