This issue of "Research Library Issues" ("RLI") highlights the value of professional failure. The idea to explore this theme emerged from conversations with the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) Innovation Lab Advisory Group earlier this year. It is the hope this issue highlights the value of failure--both its necessary…

This paper presents the findings of a study on funding of the library at the University of Benin in relation to the recurrent budget implementation during the 1992/93 to 1996/97 academic sessions. The findings indicated that the library depended on the central administrations's allocation for its funding. It also showed that the University of…

"Research Library Issues" ("RLI") focuses on current and emerging topics that are strategically important to research libraries. The articles explore issues, share information, pose critical questions, and provide examples. This issue includes the following articles: (1) ARL Library Budgets after the Great Recession, 2011-13…

A study focused on library formula budgeting practices with a special concern for the typical upper division university functioning in a state system of higher education. The basic objectives of this research project were to develop a model budget for upper division university libraries and to demonstrate the use of formulas in predicting the…

The University of Maryland at College Park (UMCP) libraries participated in a management review and analysis program (MRAP) with the assistance of the Office of University Library Management Studies of the Association of Research Libraries. Three study teams reported on the library system in its institutional setting; current trends in higher…

Twenty-four accredited library schools in the United States and Canada responded to a survey conducted in 1971 to collect comparable data on administrative structure, collections, budget, and personnel. Designed to show quantitative relationships among subject collections within the field of library science, this survey report presents data within…

A study was conducted at Purdue University to gather operational and budgetary planning data for the Libraries and Audiovisual Center. The objectives were: (1) to complete a current inventory of equipment including year of purchase, costs, and salvage value; (2) to determine useful life data for general classes of equipment; and (3) to determine…

A formula has been developed for the projection of book fund needs and public service and administrative staffing in academic and research libraries. (Author)

Describes the blend of traditional and progressive themes reflected in the design of the new library at the New Hampshire Technical Institute, which is located in the state's capital, Concord. Details how the 26,000 square foot requirement and the $3 million dollar budget were analyzed in order to get the most library for the money. (NB)

Describes a money-saving program at Western Iowa Tech Community College that combined the library, computer lab, and Student Success Center into a single unit, called the Learning Achievement Center. Discusses the resources and strengths of the new center, as well as future plans and student satisfaction. (NB)

Since the organization of the United States Bureau of Education in 1867 statistics of public libraries have appeared periodically in the annual reports. It has been the purpose to gather such statistics every five years, but it has not been possible to carry out the plan with perfect regularity. For forty years every annual report of the bureau…