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)

Cooperative collection development is discussed as a method of coping with rising prices for expensive and little used library materials. The experiences of institutions which have had success in overcoming difficulties associated with cooperative ventures are presented, and a program of 12 recommendations is suggested. Twenty references are…

As early as the sixth century B.C., China's imperial library served as a depository of national literature and archives, and in 1905 China's first public library was opened. Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, however, library development has been sporadic. Brief examinations of some of China's major libraries reveal the status,…

This analysis of data from major library studies provides a wide range of information on public libraries in America in the 1970's. Following a discussion of the history and stated purpose of American public libraries, figures are presented for library size, population served, area served, governing bodies, financial support, revenue allocation,…

Reports on survey utilizing questionnaires, interviews, examination of relevant records, and personal observation to assess state of the art of college libraries in Kerala (smallest Indian state). Administrative set-up, organizational efficiency, finances, book selection and acquisition, technical processing, library collections, library services,…

Discusses the adoption of "Standards for University Libraries" in 1978/79 by Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), including the definition of universities and colleges, ARL/ACRL committees, the standards, and a survey of 88 library directors concerning usefulness of standards.…

Reviews studies of the duplication of holdings and acquisitions among libraries, concentrating on four types of research: (1) studies undertaken in connection with union catalogs, (2) studies of centralized processing, (3) studies of cooperative collection development, and (4) research studies on the phenomenon of collection overlap. A…

Reviews historical development, organization, and current concerns of health sciences librarians who serve in mental health institutions, agencies, and organizations. The mental health field, mental health libraries, education and training, professional status and standards, professional organizations, the library collection, and library…

Selective review of the collection development literature for 1991 discusses the access versus ownership issue; organization, policy, and planning; budgets and finance; selection; assessment, weeding, and preservation; and special collections. (177 references) (MES)

This review of the 1986 literature on serials covers nine areas: (1) automation of processing; (2) cataloging; (3) union lists and network cooperation; (4) selection practices; (5) differential pricing; (6) serials work abroad; (7) subject collection; (8) service to patrons; and (9) serials librarianship as a professional specialization. (102…

Bibliographic instruction is the means by which college and university libraries assist library users in locating information in their collections. Future developments will show an increased reduction in library resources. Staff reductions will make greater demands on librarians for activities of greater value. (JN)

This overview of academic libraries in Hong Kong highlights Chinese University, Hong Kong University, and Hong Kong Polytechnic. A history of Chinese University and its branch college libraries, library cooperation, and higher education in Hong Kong are noted. (EJS)

Factors related to the extraordinary growth and development of school libraries in the United States between 1945 and 1980 are reviewed in this report, which describes the establishment of standards for school library media centers, Knapp Foundation funding of school library projects, federal funding of school libraries, the professional…

The first part of a two-part review of research related to school library media collections summarizes studies with implications for budgets and collection size, the selection process, collection policies, and the librarian as censor. A table compares data on holdings and expenditures for schools providing high-level library service with national…

Discussion of allocation of library acquisitions budgets, especially for monographs, focuses on the proportional use statistic (i.e., a value that compares circulation and holdings in a subject area). Topics addressed include economics; benefits that libraries provide; use of the collection by patrons; computers as aids to resource allocation;…