In this essay, we embrace a vision of the future of academic libraries where librarians confront and creatively address the lack of racial and ethnic diversity within our profession and actively pursue a social justice agenda within our libraries and in the communities we serve. This future requires that we acknowledge that many of our current…

This essay relates Howard R. Bowen's revenue theory of cost and Laws of Higher Education Cost to the situation of the academic library, highlighting pursuit of excellence, library expenses, cost-effective measures, and decision rules for resource allocation. (EJS)

Practical advice is offered on managing libraries during a time of declining resources. Librarians are urged to set aside the extravagant and empty rhetoric of the 60s and 70s and take a more realistic view of collections and services for users during the austere 80s. (Author/RAA)

Fuzzy set theory, a mathematical modeling technique that allows for the consideration of such factors as "professional expertise" in decision making, is discussed as a tool for use in libraries--specifically in collection management. The fundamentals of fuzzy set theory are introduced and a reference list is included. (JL)

Considers 10 areas of internal operations in which the Research Libraries Group/North American Collection Inventory Project (RLF/NCIP) Conspectus can be used as a management aid: collection priorities, collection management, space utilization, preservation programs, staffing allocations, material fund requests, accreditation, materials selection,…

Reports the results of a survey of Nigerian agricultural libraries and documentation centers that examined budgeting techniques. The factors examined include who prepares budgets, the basis of cost estimates, establishment of goals and planning guidelines, criteria for funding approval, and maintenance of financial records. Common problems are…

Outlines an approach to budgeting in the research library. The following priorities are addressed: an adequate student labor force; adequate support staff; professional staff; education, training, and professional involvement; physical facilities and equipment; and the access--rather than collection development--budget. (EA)

Suggests that as automated information services become more prevalent, it is essential that libraries find permanent funding to support this activity. Funding of information provided by an online search that satisfies legitimate educational and research needs with monies from print materials budget is considered. Three reactions to essay are…

Explores meaning of managerial accounting in libraries and discusses instructional program for students of library and information science based on experience in School of Library and Information Science at University of California, Los Angeles. Management decision making (budgeting, performance evaluation, overhead, resource allocation,…

Discusses expectations of public library reference service and the reality of what librarians can provide amid declining resources. Suggests reference librarians should define the gap between potential and reality in reference service, and inform the customers about how little money it would take to provide better service. Argues that librarians…

College librarians do not always find the characteristics they wish their teaching and administrative colleagues to have: a genuine understanding of the library's mission in higher education; a clearer recognition of the professional librarian's craft and acceptance as a peer; and a reliable flow of communication and consultation. (Author/MSE)

Based on material obtained and observations made in 1982, this Australian study focuses on the British Library's inter-library comparison (ILC) project for academic libraries. The report is presented in five sections, the first of which is a brief introduction. The second section deals with the general concept of inter-organization comparison as a…

Presents data from 1971 to 1990 to show that the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) standard that the library's appropriation shall be 6% of total institution budget has never been realized. Suggested reasons (e.g., increasing budgets for administration, research, and student services) are discussed, and possible solutions are…

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) is responsible for the annual development and adoption of specific policies and formulas for the equitable distribution of monies in the area of educational instruction and academic support, including libraries. Two formulas are applied to determine funding: Full-Time Equated (FTE) enrollment…

Based on an in-depth study of the staffing of the California State University (CSU) libraries at Pomona, San Bernardino, and San Francisco, this report examines the adequacy of the formulas used to allocate staff to the 19 CSU system libraries. Focused on the impact of library staffing on the ability of students and faculty to access and use…