Following an explanation of cost-effective studies and the need for them in libraries, part one of this report provides step-by-step instructions, with examples, to enable librarians to conduct such studies in their own setting. Part two provides an example of the use of the model, presenting the results of the cost analysis of monographic…

A national probability sample was made to survey the costs, the characteristics of materials loaned and borrowed, and the present and future magnitude of interlibrary loans for academic libraries. From a sample of 80 libraries it was found that the cost of a filled loan request varied between two and seven dollars and that lending cost per…

This is a general descriptive and comparative report on alternative forms of library catalogs. The specific problems and factors associated with library catalogs are introduced briefly and then treated with respect to the following physical forms: card catalogs, book catalogs, microforms, and on-line catalogs. Whenever possible, examples of…

Some university academic departments contend that they do not receive a fair share of approval-plan books. The study attempts to measure the proportion of books for each departmental subject in general publishing and to compare those ratios to their proportion in approval plan receipts. It also sought to determine whether, and to what extent, book…

To aid in controlling the cost of acquisitions in a research library, techniques were developed for the rational selection of serial titles for cancellation. The context for the proposed methodology was a network or multicampus environment rather than an individual library, and it was tested with a specific body of health sciences serial titles in…

To enable the William R. Perkins Library to focus attention on its collection development operation, a six-member study committee was appointed to review within the present and future environment of the university current collection development policies and procedures and to suggest changes as appropriate to ensure effective use of the library's…

The operation of the university library is examined. Despite the increase in size of libraries, their standard of service is declining. Reasons for this decline are advanced. The strategic goals of the library are redefined with implications for the library's acquisition, shelving, and retention policies. (Author)

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 survey data on Colorado's academic libraries is organized by sector (i.e., public or private) and board (e.g., University of Colorado, State Board of Agriculture, Colorado Community College and Occupational Education System). There are library-by-library statistics and summary figures for boards and sectors. Full-time equivalent (FTE) student…

This interlibrary loan (ILL) cost study was conducted at Union College Library in Schenectady, New York, in order to provide immediate feedback about ILL as well as to serve as a potential management tool for library and college administrators. This report describes the financial statistics of a 3-year period of use of ILL services at this small,…

The purpose of the investigation is to identify an operationally viable research methodology for assessing the value derived from selected library services at Cranfield Institute (England) and to evaluate and comment on the costs of providing such value. Four population groups are critical in the development of the expected value of library…

A study of the Purdue University Libraries was conducted to help allocate costs by user group and academic department. A circulation survey was taken to determine user identification. The sampling included reserve material used in the library, materials borrowed overnight or longer, and use of photocopy service. Copies of transaction cards were…

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 general methodology for cost effectiveness analysis was developed and applied to the Colorado State University library loan desk. The cost effectiveness of the existing semi-automated circulation system was compared with that of a fully manual one, based on the existing manual subsystem. Faculty users' time and computer operating costs were…

The Monograph Demonstration Project, an experiment in cooperative library development, was conducted by the Council of Ontario Universities from July, 1973 through April, 1975. Objectives of the project were to establish that an automated, on-line cataloging support system is practical within the Ontario University library community, to provide…