Libraries need solid information upon which to base collection development decisions. Specific evaluative methods for determining scope, access, and usefullness are described. Approaches used for data collection include analysis of interlibrary loan requests, comparison with major bibliographies, and analysis of accessibility through available…

The Library of American Civilization (LAC) is the first in a series of microfiche collections developed around a central theme. The collection consists of 12,000 microbooks on ultrafiche. This study aimed to produce quantitative data leading to an evaluation of this collection and guidelines for evaluating collections of this type. Random entries…

Because advances in medical science can lead to rapid changes in current health knowledge, a library collection of medical science materials can become dated rather quickly. This factor, as well as the many variables of library use and operation which impact the availability of current materials on the library shelves--loan periods, weeding…

The methodology and survey instrument described in this report were designed to support the Library Learning Program for freshmen English students and identify the clientele of the library at Kearney State College in Nebraska. Surveys were mailed to on-campus and off-campus students. The low response rate--534 or 26.9% of the on-campus students,…

The acquisitions staff at Wayne State University's Shiffman Medical Library has developed a validation system based on the requests for cataloging from the five teaching hospitals which are members of the Detroit Cooperative Cataloging Center (DC3). Located at Shiffman, DC3 provides data on members' acquisition activities which have assisted in…

Intended to foster a common language for information exchange about library operations and resources, this handbook provides library managers, boards of trustees, and other library decisionmakers with guidance in identifying items of information from which to obtain factual and comparative data for (1) developing policies and decisions; (2)…

The difficulties in collecting data on library inventories and expenditures are discussed first by Heron in a reply to Machlup's earlier book, and then by Machlup in a rebuttal. (LBH)

The lack of statistical records in library administration is examined along with various reasons for the difficulty in measuring and recording the assorted contents and costs of a library. The need for some realistic benefit-and-cost analysis for information systems of various dimensions is noted. (LBH)

Discusses the problem of rising costs for serial subscriptions and declining purchasing power of education libraries, and describes three studies undertaken in a university library to obtain reliable data for recommending the continuation or cancellation of education periodical subscriptions. Eleven references are listed. (CHC)

This report describes the aspirations and inspirations as well as the data collection and analyses which constituted the first phase of activity under the Mellon Foundation grant to examine collection development and management at Cornell. The emphasis is mainly on analytical and planning processes rather than specific results during this first…

Discusses the concepts of marketing and relationship management as they apply to libraries. Topics include perceptions of the profession; environments that libraries operate in; connecting content and users through access and services; and the need for reliable and consistent collection of effective data. (Author/LRW)

A document retrieval study conducted before and again after the building of a more centralized library at Syracuse University is used as an example of the kind of data gathering which can lead to improved decision making and evaluation of library services by library administrators. The study is discussed in detail to facilitate replication and to…

A cost analysis of the problem of growing library collections shows that it is more desirable, economically and academically, to establish regional compact shelving facilities for infrequently used library materials than to discard the materials. This report develops and applies a cost model--based on the Palmour Cost Model--which examines the…

OCLC-MARC subscription service tapes can be used as a convenient source of statistical data for collection management. New acquisitions can be analyzed using monthly and annual cumulative tapes to obtain numbers of new titles added by subject, types of material, text languages, and intellectual levels. There are three references. (Author/RAA)

In 1965, as the University of Akron (Ohio) was approaching its centennial, it was decided to create two archival programs. One was the University Archives, which preserves records and other items dealing with the history and development of the institution. A different approach, but one that was closely intertwined with the University Archives, was…