Examines the issue of OCLC benefits for special libraries in terms of find rates and suggests that special libraries consider OCLC participation when find rates are low. (FM)

In this report, a task force appointed by the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS) to prepare a plan for a National Periodicals program recommends a three level program consisting of: (1) local, state, and regional library systems responsible for meeting a substantial portion of routine needs for periodicals; (2) a…

Analyzes the half-life of book use through analysis of over 10,000 regional and statewide interlibrary loan requests. Correcting for the growth of the literature, this study indicated that the half-lives of monographs may increase from lower to higher levels of the hierarchy in a library network. (CWM)

This report describes the multidimensional scaling (MDS) method for interpreting collection overlap based on the number of books held by pairs of libraries in large groups (as many as 100 libraries or more). MDS results for four groups of libraries sampled from the OCLC database are also presented. MDS is described as a class of data-analytic or…

Examines the statistical results derived from a test of the Lopez method, a technique that offers a means to empirically evaluate the depth of a library collection in specific subject areas. (FM)

As a first step towards resource sharing among libraries in the Cleveland Area Metropolitan Library System (CAMLS), a unique method, called the Site Appraisal for Area Resources Inventory (SAFARI), was developed to examine the library collections. This approach was different than others in that collections were compared by experts in a specific…

The acquisitions staff at Wayne State University's Shiffman Medical Library has developed a validation system based on the requests for cataloging from the five teaching hospitals which are members of the Detroit Cooperative Cataloging Center (DC3). Located at Shiffman, DC3 provides data on members' acquisition activities which have assisted in…

Describes use of personal computer connected to large, multilibrary bibliographic system (Illinois' Library Computer System network) to model an analysis of record duplication across entire system. The pilot project, compressed records, the test database utilizing records from four libraries, and the matching scheme are discussed. Five sources are…

Site-visit reports for 12 correctional facilities libraries are summarized using the headings of the Policy Directive for Institutional Library Services, and centering only on the general libraries. Libraries studied are categorized as either adequate, minimum but functional, or inadequate. Observations and specific recommendations are presented…

Speed of access is a prime factor in user satisfaction with academic libraries. Specialized (i.e., departmental) libraries have proliferated to provide faster access. This study timed a sample of 933 citations, drawn from items cited in publications of members of each academic unit within the university. The hypothesis that the optimum size for a…

The state of Washington studied ways to deliver library materials by mail, with patrons ordering from a Sears-type catalog of materials. Investigation techniques included a literature search, on-site observations, personal interviews, statistical analyses, mathematical modeling, and computer simulation. It was concluded that mail order book…

Reports the methodology and results of a study which explored the potential of three approaches to sampling the Australian Bibliographic Network (ABN) database files for determining collection overlap among Australian libraries. (Author/CLB)

Presents results of study which examined interlibrary loan requests received at University of West Florida to ascertain whether books that other libraries could normally be expected to buy were being requested, and how many books in "high-use" areas were being requested by other libraries. Conclusions and recommendations are included. (3…

Papers on interlibrary lending which were presented at the 1982 International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) conference include: (1) "Inter-Library Loan Service of the National Library of China," a description by Huang Jungui and Zhao Qikang (People's Republic of China) of the history, organization, purposes, and possible…

A review of cooperative collection development activities among Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member institutions indicates that many are involved with local, statewide, or regional consortia that develop and operate one or more fairly traditional cooperative programs. This kit contains 11 documents illustrating cooperative activities:…