In a new era of austerity in academic libraries, more realistic concepts of collection building will have to be adopted and new patterns of service will have to be devised. (Author/PF)

Recommends academic libraries consider cooperative storage of unused or little-used library materials to offset the proliferation of print materials and conserve financial resources. Mutually shared storage would retain collection integrity, expand collection availability, conserve library space for the active collection, and permit a no-growth…

Suggestions are given for improving the availability of a library's most-requested books. (PF)

Contends that network resource sharing is a service that is not appreciated by public library patrons, who accept only immediate delivery as acceptable access to materials. Improvement and expansion of local holdings is suggested as an alternative to expensive networking arrangements. Twenty references are included. (RAA)

Includes three articles that debate whether interlibrary loan (ILL) is the best way to get public library patrons what they need. Highlights include return on investment; funding; alternatives to ILL, including purchase on demand and online full-text databases; cost effectiveness; and the advantages of patron-initiated ILL through interconnected…

Discusses issues facing librarianship in the People's Republic of China based on observations by a delegation of American and Canadian librarians in 1985. Highlights include the impact of the Cultural Revolution, collection development strategies, user needs and barriers to use, outreach to special populations, networking and resource sharing, and…

A recent study says that the state hasn't been giving public library systems enough money, that system development has lacked coordination and system planning falls far short of the mark, that interlibrary loan and reference service take too much time and are too costly, and that system personnel need more training. (Author/PF)

Discusses the pros and cons of library cooperation as exemplified by interlibrary loan and OCLC. Moving away from cooperation toward the more intensive use of local systems is suggested as one alternative for the future. (MES)

Discusses the use of document delivery by academic and research libraries and lists 28 private document delivery services frequently cited in a survey of libraries who use the services. Topics addressed include traditional interlibrary loan services; the effects of rising journal costs, restricted budgets, and staff cuts; and copyright issues.…

Describes a communications, materials booking, and interloan system in a Canadian public library system which allows equal participation of all sizes of libraries. The system has reduced the percentage of requests not found, improved turnaround time, is more cost effective, and has generated a higher respect for resource sharing. (EM)

Recounts history of development of Universal Availability of Publications (UAP) concept over past decade. Origin of concept in International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, three resolutions dealing with international interlibrary loans, conferences, Unesco support, and a document prepared for the 1982 UAP Congress are…

Considers the concept of library reference management and traditional reference functions in terms of aggrandizement, highlighting staff evaluation, bibliographic instruction, online searching, interlibrary loan, and the vertical file. Three references are listed. (EJS)

Assesses the changes in interlibrary loan (ILL) practices, and points the way to an ideal future. Discusses patron-initiated document request systems; library-mediated ordering systems; document delivery suppliers; accessing electronic resources; ILL management software; paying ILL invoices; new electronic delivery options; and results of a…

Discusses ways in which academic libraries are responding to rising costs of serials. Topics addressed include pricing by publishers; the effect of journal cancellations on research activities; interlibrary loans and document delivery services; coordinated cancelling; electronic journals; and experiences at the University of Arizona. (LRW)