A cost-effectiveness analysis evaluating manual and automated circulation systems is described. The methodology identifies all automation costs and real changes in effectiveness. (Author/KP)

Two sophisticated--autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA), straight-line regression--and two naive--simple average, monthly average--forecasting techniques were used to forecast monthly circulation totals of 34 public libraries. Comparisons of forecasts and actual totals revealed that ARIMA and monthly average methods had smallest mean…

This study of 50 pairs of popular (written for layman) and technical (designed for those having specialized knowledge in particular discipline) monographs matched by subject, date of publication, and date of acquisition indicates that although technical works circulated more than popular, difference was not statistically significant. Seven…

Circulation statistics for 198 books randomly selected from nonjuvenile collection at Allerton Public Library were ascertained. Comparison of experimental group (all related catalog entries withdrawn from card catalog) and control group (all catalog entries left intact) showed no statistically significant influence of removal of cards on…

Data gathered in application of Paul Kantor's demand-adjusted shelf availability model to medium-sized academic library indicate significant differences in shelf availability when data are analyzed by last circulation date, acquisition date, and imprint date, and when they are gathered during periods of low and high use. Ten references are cited.…

Determines book obsolescence rates for instructional departments within university by analyzing annual library's circulation and relating patterns of library use to curricular programs. Immediacy and intensity of peak usage, use dispersion, and commonality of use were used to develop acquisition priority weighting formula. Twenty-two sources and…

Comparison of return rates of materials from Ohio State University Libraries to other home loan studies for academic staff and students indicates that due date may be less important than previously thought, and publicity should be tested as means to encourage students to return materials at earlier date. (12 references) (EJS)

The frequency with which students borrow works of literature that can be called eminent or great works from a university library was examined in two studies that are interesting for their methodology and their findings. An operational definition of great or eminent works was developed, and a list of such works was derived from three sources on…

This report compares levels of staffing in the libraries of 20 midwest liberal arts colleges. (Noting that libraries all have different organizational structures and different types and levels of service, the study notes the danger of inappropriate comparisons.) Data for this paper were taken from "1982-83 Library Data: Associated Colleges of the…

To measure effect of posters on children's selection of books from display table, two displays (one with poster) were placed in visible area of one public library and five elementary school media centers. Children selected 10% (public library) and 27% (media center libraries) more books from poster table. (14 references) (EJS)

Describes study of manual and experimental automated circulation systems in a university library in Nigeria. Data were collected for eight circulation activities in order to calculate the direct labor costs of circulating a book on each system. Automated system's book circulation costs were higher although direct labor costs were less. (MBR)

Describes methodology for analyzing MARC (machine-readable cataloging) records of highly circulating titles to document common characteristics for collection development purposes. Application of the methodology in a university library is discussed, and data are presented on commonality of subject heading, author, language, and imprint date for…

This study compares the rates of single renewal and return from the home loan of English language books of The Ohio State University Libraries across subjects and patron status. The chi square test of equal proportionality is used to make comparisons between data sets. Ten sources are given. (Author/EJS)