Describes why and how the North American Collections Inventory Project (NCIP) involving three Indiana research libraries was implemented; how cooperative decisions and planning are proceeding as a result of the project; and benefits and drawbacks of the project. Comments on future are offered as NCIP begins Phase Three. (6 references) (EJS)

Two articles describe National Shelflist Count project organized 13 years ago under auspices of American Library Association's Resources and Technical Services Division to collect and publish comparative data about strengths and growth of major North American research collections. History, limitations, usefulness, and recommendations of 1983 task…

This paper examines specific issues in the administration of serials (publications issued in successive parts and intended to be continued indefinitely) as they have been addressed by a small academic library with budget constraints and limited personnel. Highlights include collection development, bibliographic control, acquisition, automation,…

Describes the results of a survey of acquisitions librarians in Association of Research Libraries (ARL) academic libraries that was conducted to determine the level of involvement expected from library schools in educating librarians for acquisitions work. The type of training that is needed is examined, sources of acquisitions training are…

Discusses selection policies for library acquisitions and describes a quantitative model that explains variations in expenditures by subject that was developed at Arizona State University. The link between policy and selection practice is discussed, allocation formulas are examined, and further research topics are suggested. (57 references) (LRW)

To determine if backlogs of uncataloged monographs still exist and to discover methods of controlling and/or reducing arrearages, a questionnaire was sent to 117 Association of Research Libraries members. Questions were asked concerning arrearage size, storage, arrangement, physical and bibliographic access, and role of automation in reducing or…

Describes a survey of academic libraries that investigated the cataloging backlog of music materials. Pertinent literature is reviewed; reasons for backlogs are discussed, including large acquisitions and gifts without a corresponding increase in staff to process them; a lack of knowledgeable staff; and the impact of other library automation…

Describes a study conducted at Cornell University that compared high-quality member cataloging copy from a random sample of records on the Research Libraries Information Network (RLIN) with Library of Congress cataloging copy. Implications for training support staff to handle member copy are suggested, and the expansion of cooperative cataloging…

Reviews the influences of organizational evolution and intentional change, library posture toward collection development, personnel management, and human perspectives on the establishment of an administrative framework for achieving collection development goals. (Author/EM)

Discussion of integrated library systems focuses on the development of the Ohio Library and Information Network (OhioLINK). Capabilities of eight existing systems are described, including catalog creation and maintenance; the online public access catalog (OPAC); circulation, interlibrary loan, and document delivery; acquisitions and serials…

Describes steps in survey project that supplied information for contemplated merger of two libraries by estimating number of volumes and titles and duplication between John Crerar Library collections and University of Chicago Library science collections. Survey's findings for volume duplication are analyzed by subject groupings and by books and…

A survey of academic libraries which were members of the Association of Research Libraries in 1983-84 studies the organizational patterns that exist for collection development. Findings reveal that, although a variety of patterns exist, the one outstanding development has been the upgrading of the unit responsible for collection development.…

A survey of 29 medium-sized academic libraries gathered data on collection development methods in foreign literatures including the language and academic background of the bibliographer; bases of selection decisions; acquisition rates for French, German, and Spanish literature as compared to English/American literature; acquisition practices; and…

Discussion of cooperative activities among libraries focuses on cataloging of Latin American materials among research libraries. Differences in motivation for cooperation in acquisitions and in cataloging are discussed; and a study is described that examined which libraries were providing online cataloging, and differences between OCLC and RLIN…

Discusses both the serials manager's external relationships with subscription agents and journal publishers and his/her obligation to be an equal and respected participant in acquiring information for users. Methods of gaining equality are considered, including education, communication with colleagues and vendors' representatives, and informed…