Discusses results from an experimental study which measured user and journal publisher acceptance of microfiche editions and hardware performance at Wayne State University Libraries. Study results prompted a full-scale acquisition program of currently available microform materials. A profile of six microfiche collections for academic libraries is…

Undertaken to determine if the pattern of use of library reserve collections found at other college libraries continues to exist at DePauw, this study found that approximately 40 percent of all the reserve collection items never circulated during the entire semester, and that 33 percent of the collection circulated only one to five times during…

Discusses general findings reported in the literature of use and citation studies on the use of citation counts as found in "Journal Citation Reports" for identification of periodical titles for cancellation in a university library. Principal reasons for retention of little-cited journals are noted. Twenty-one references are cited. (EJS)

Suggests that fundamental questions with broad policy implications and a perspective that approaches academic library from patron's point of view remain to be asked about library costs, collections and their use, library users, and both the academic setting itself and the people who work within it. Seventeen references are cited. (EJS)

Develops an empirical model for predicting the size of an information store necessary to satisfy specified levels of demand. A method for selecting items for retirement with the least adverse impact on the store is suggested. Three tables, three figures, and a 10-item reference list are included. (Author/JL)

Surveys the literature on the lack of use of government documents collections in academic libraries and discusses using library displays to increase awareness. Bibliographies on preparing library displays, locating ideas for government documents displays, increasing awareness and use of government publications, and specific documents for displays…

Anticipation of current and future needs of scholars should be a major concern of builders of research collections. This may result in a certain percentage of unused books; however, this is a justified and necessary expense if scholarship and research are to continue. (RAA)

Describes two use studies of the microforms collection at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, one conducted in 1982 and the other in 1987. Collection profiles are presented, use study methodology is discussed, and results of the two studies are analyzed and compared. (Five references) (LRW)

Discusses the role of stacks support staff and student assistants in providing point-of-use assistance and instruction in Oregon State University's library. A user's survey is described; staff training is explained; and survey instruments and Stack Maintenance Team recommendations are appended. (LRW)

The process described in this manual is designed to help small academic libraries systematically study the use of their circulating book collections. Originally developed in 1980, the manual has been used successfully in several small college libraries, both with and without assistance from outside consultants. In most cases, the study can be…

In their study of the usage demands placed on journal collections in academic libraries, Allen Kent and coauthors have not adequately considered the long-term variability of those demands in their formulation of a cost-benefit model for the management of journal collections. Though resource-sharing and the matching of periodical acquisitions to…

Presents an overview of library collection evaluation techniques described in the literature--list-checking, quantitative analysis, use studies, and subject specialist review--and offers suggestions to the librarian for the application of these methods in an art library. Twenty-five references are provided. (EJS)

Uses bibliometric techniques in the development of a model of the distribution of demand for items in an information store. The hypothesis of hyperbolic distribution and an index of differential demand are also discussed. One table, two figures, and a 10-item reference list accompany the text. (Author/JL)

Examines the distribution of use of items in a large information store and suggests that a simple exponential model describes the process of obsolescence more precisely. Three tables, four figures, and a 17-item reference list are included. (Author/JL)

This study tests the widely cited proposition that 20% of a library's books account for 80% of its circulation. Using data collected for a collection development survey, it was found that of the sample of 4,213 books, 799, or 19%, accounted for 79% of the circulation during 1987. In fact, 25% of the books accounted for all of the circulation that…