Discusses factors involved in journal competition such as price, volume of literature, the not-for-profit and for-profit sectors, as well as foreign literature quality. Presents results of a study to gauge the stability of impact factor leadership in physical sciences journals by identifying the top 100 journals in 1983 and 1993. (Author/JKP)

Proposes a model based on mechanical selection for core collection development that is appropriate for large and medium-size academic research libraries. Statistics that show a large percent of desirable books are published by a small percent of publishers are presented, and titles published by university presses and by commercial presses are…

A study gathered information about producers and distributors of unabridged books on cassette tape for the use of librarians engaged in collection development. Questionnaires were distributed to 48 public libraries and 45 producers/distributors. This report includes an introduction covering the history of this medium and a rationale for collecting…

Describes a study that investigated holdings of small publishers' books in OCLC libraries and selection procedures for these titles, including the influence of reviews, publishers, and vendors. Questionnaire responses from librarians and vendors are analyzed, and results indicating a significant relationship between holdings and reviews are…

Designed to determine the usefulness of reviews of U.S. history books in scholarly journals in collection development, this study found that no one journal provided adequate coverage and that the reviews in all of the journals lacked currency. It is suggested that data collected on publisher representation might prove useful in establishing…

Analyzes the "Journal of the American Society for Information Science's (JASIS's)" and its immediate predecessor, "American Documentation's," position in library and information science journal rankings published during the last half-century. Concludes that journal rankings represent a frequently overlooked tool of value to…

Discussion of academic library book acquisition reviews pertinent literature on book reviews, book selection, and evaluation and proposes a model for academic library book acquisition using a two-year relational database file of approval plan records. Defines a core collection for the California State University system, and characterizes…

Describes a study that compared the performance of two general approval plan vendors with that of two science and technology (sci/tech) specialty vendors in identifying sci/tech titles that matched a library profile. The areas discussed include overall coverage by vendors, representation of non-trade publishers, and difficulties in using approval…

Provides data on price trends for French academic books in the humanities and social sciences for the years 1986-90 based on information from the "Bulletin Critique du Livre Francais," a monthly book-reviewing journal. A method for developing a price index for this material is demonstrated. (Contains eight references.) (LRW)

This discussion of the difficulties involved in acquiring materials for academic libraries in Nigeria uses statistics at one university to demonstrate the drop in foreign exchange based orders. Alternatives to overseas purchasing, including local purchasing, gifts and exchanges, and resource sharing programs, are also discussed. (CLB)

Discusses the use of formula allocations for book and serial funds in academic libraries' collection development and proposes a matrix formula based on disciplinary needs and publishing patterns. Variables in the formula that are used to represent institutional goals at the University of Texas at Arlington are explained. (16 references) (LRW)

Advocates providing automobile repair and service information in public libraries, and discusses collection development issues, reference services, and problems in making repair manuals available. Describes the collection and services for patrons in Tacoma Public Library and results of a survey of other public libraries holding automobile repair…

Describes the results of a survey of broadcasting libraries in Nigeria that used questionnaires, observation techniques, and interviews to generate data. Inadequacies regarding staffing, development, preservation and conservation practices, collection development, bibliographic control, space, and funding are discussed, and recommendations for…

Describes a survey that examined the effects of increasing serial subscription costs on American and Canadian research libraries. Strategies adopted by libraries are described, including faculty and campus involvement, retrenchment, long range planning, and shared resources. Relationships with publishers and the possible impact of electronic…

Explores how public libraries have dealt with the AIDS epidemic, examines the publication of articles on AIDS in periodicals and books, and reports the results of a survey of public libraries that was conducted to determine when and how librarians have responded to information needs on the AIDS epidemic. (Contains 11 references.) (LRW)