Reviews the 1987 literature on library materials preservation. The 145-item bibliography lists works on (1) advocacy groups; (2) cooperative preservation; (3) conferences; (4) funding; (5) training; (6) preservation materials; (7) environment and care of materials; (8) conservation treatments; (9) deacidification; (10) reformatting; (11) disaster…

Reports on a study to estimate the proportion of the University of Michigan's library collection needing preservation efforts and describes the rating scale used. (FM)

Provides librarians and others with summary of types of methods available to determine extent to which books, journals, and other library materials are being used, highlighting circulation studies, survey of user opinions, document delivery tests, shelf availability studies, in-house use studies, and citation studies. Forty-four selected…

Extracts five conclusions from a survey of library material use studies: (1) recorded use in many libraries is low; (2) use within the library parallels circulation; (3) past use predicts future use; (4) recent materials are used more frequently; and (5) Americans use few foreign language materials. (FM)

Discusses serials-related functions in academic research libraries, considers the operation of a separate serials department versus integration of serials functions within a general technical services department, and describes an analysis of advertisements for serials positions that was conducted to determine the need for serials specialists and…

Reviews the literature published in 1990 that deals with descriptive cataloging. Topics discussed include the theory and general practice of cataloging; materials in special forms, including serials, conference proceedings, cartographic materials, sound recordings, computer files, and microforms; the impact of automation; authority control;…

Reviews the major problems in the bibliographic control of microforms, particularly monographs in microform. The shortcomings of current practices in the cataloging of microforms are identified, and suggestions are made for the improvement of bibliographic access to these materials. Twelve reference sources are cited. (JL)

Delineates the types of decisions involved in the preservation of library collections and suggests decision-making structures and criteria for each type of decision. The information gaps which limit the ability to make intelligent preservation decisions are also discussed. (Author/JL)

Three articles on preservation present a theoretical framework for making preservation selection decisions by Atkinson, comments on Atkinson's concepts and possible mechanisms for identifying collections for top priority in microfilming by Child, and results of a Research Libraries Group study of the costs of preservation microfilming by McClung .…