The Index of American Public Library Circulation dates back to 1939, and the Index of American Public Library Expenditures to 1951. These indexes are based on annual reports from a sample of all American public libraries serving more than 25,000 people each. Using the 1982 American Library Directory, the researchers identified 1,586 public…

The task of the working party was to analyze how a scheme for the establishment of a public lending right might be devised in practical terms. It did not consider whether or not such a scheme should be introduced, nor what effect it might have on the finances of the library services or authors concerned. This report: establishes the nature of the…

Describes how BookshelF software, a library management system, has been integrated into the library and information management curriculum at Manchester Polytechnic (England), and discusses the learning objectives that have been achieved. The use of BookshelF modules for ordering, circulation control, cataloging, OPAC (online public access…

Discusses statistical analyses of the effect of reduction in opening hours on book issues, or borrowing, of public library authorities (PLAs) in the United Kingdom. Demonstrates the difficulties involved in using statistical data to make accurate predictions of the impact of opening hour reductions on borrowing. (Author/LRW)

Discussion of deteriorating library materials focuses on a study that investigated preservation activities at the Oberlin Group of college libraries of nineteenth-century American and British periodicals. Results from the study and from a review of the literature are used to help develop a model for preservation decision making. (12 references)…

Explains the concept of Public Lending Right (PLR), which provides for payments to authors based on the circulation of their books by public libraries, and describes the British experience with PLR since 1979. Issues involved in PLR and the possibility of its adoption in the United States are also discussed. (MES)

Describes the public lending right (PLR) situation in the United Kingdom, including the origin and evolution of the campaign for author remuneration for library lending, the current status of PLR, and a look to the future. Eighty-five references are provided. (CHC)

Frequency-of-circulation distributions from 16 United Kingdom libraries participating in initial period of operation of the Public Lending Right are discussed. Differences between the libraries are highlighted, and, for each, the adequacy of various refinements of the simplest model (geometric distribution, negative binomial distribution, or mixed…