The introduction to this Systems and Procedures Exchange Center (SPEC) kit explains the Conspectus method, which was developed in 1980 by the Research Libraries Group (RLG) as a means of systematically and qualitatively evaluating large library collections. The discussion considers advantages and disadvantages of this tool, which evaluates past…

This document presents papers from a conference held in November 1995 in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, convened by the Education Policy Unit (EPU) of the University of Natal as part of research concerning the provision of library-based resources for school learners. Following an introduction are two chapters: "Identifying the Inherited Problems in…

In December of 1985 the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) conducted a survey of its 105 academic members to determine which libraries were acquiring and circulating microcomputer software and what policy guidelines were regulating this library function. Of the 74 libraries that responded, 72 indicated they were acquiring microcomputer…

Developed as part of a statewide coordinated collection development effort, this document is a compendium of the narrative statements of collection development policies from 19 Alaskan university, public, school, and special libraries. Only the basic narrative plus any unique appendices are included for each policy, and some of the policies are…

This document reports the results of a follow-up survey of 34 Association of Research Libraries member libraries which was conducted in 1989 to measure changes that had taken place in the administration of computer files (CF)--previously referred to as machine readable data files--since the original survey in 1984. It is noted that this survey…