Library failures can be at various levels. This paper is concerned with basic stock failure--the library's inability to supply items wanted by readers. The problems of studying stock failures are reviewed. (4 references) (Author/SJ)

The purpose of this study was to examine the science and technology books in 18 elementary school libraries in 18 Maryland school districts and: determine the age of the books; identify what percent of the books matched a professional selection source; determine the number of books per student; and estimate costs in upgrading the collections. (AEF)

This study examines patron preference for abridged versus unabridged audiobooks, looking at patron usage over time and noting any changes in preference and why they occurred. A survey was conducted at the four branches of the Geauga County Public Library System (Geauga County, Ohio) with a random sample of adult patrons. Of the 274 surveys…

The validity of the direct shelf approach as a concept for organizing library materials, with special reference to its component, browsing" is investigated by this survey. Findings implied policy recommendations for library management and library school curricula. (33 references) (Author/NH)

Reports on a study assessing the impact of the June 1973 and subsequent U.S. Supreme Court obscenity decisions on public and school libraries and trade bookstores. (Author/PF)

Items of ephemera may be important as illustrative or documentary material for author and scholar. In order for libraries to make this material available there must be access by catalog, index, or browsing. A survey of selected libraries probes the approach used by them in handling such items. (2 references) (Author)

The Intellectual Freedom Committee of the Philadelphia SRRT has surveyed the handling of controversial materials in twelve libraries. Public, university, and college libraries, are discussed in terms of which controversial titles they have and what is allowed to circulate. (Author/DH)

Library use is declining in the United States because print media is no longer the preferred media of a large majority of the population. Of the wide variety of media used for information, instruction, and entertainment, only a small variety is available through the public library. Selection of appropriate media formats for library acquisition…

This essay reports on several major features of black academic libraries: collections, operating expenditures, staff, and salaries. Eighty-five black, four-year, degree-conferring institutions were queried, and fifty-one questionnaires were returned. The results are categorized in terms of type of support of the institutions. In the fifty-one…

Reports on third annual mini-survey on religious books in 30 public libraries across nation covering seven areas: regularity of purchase of religious materials; percentage of book budget used; percentage of circulation; collection policies; gifts; patron demand; attempt to "balance" book collection on certain issues; pressure from…

The College of Education Libraries Research Project was commissioned by the Department of Education and Science at Didsbury College of Education, Manchester, England. The topics investigated included the aims and objectives of college of education libraries, effective use of library materials, funding, book selection methods, staffing…

A standardized map policy was written based on information found in the literature for comparison with the methods which map libraries utilize in acquiring their collections. To determine the methods actually used by the field, a questionnaire was sent to 48 depository map libraries. Results substantiated the policy formulated for this study, that…

The survey is the first comprehensive study of the library and audio-visual services in the schools of Prince Edward Island (PEI). The survey does not include any of the one or two-room schools as they do not have libraries (45% of the schools are one or two-room). The survey considers only the quantitative aspects of library collections and makes…

Surveys the literature on the lack of use of government documents collections in academic libraries and discusses using library displays to increase awareness. Bibliographies on preparing library displays, locating ideas for government documents displays, increasing awareness and use of government publications, and specific documents for displays…

A survey of the ownership and use of experimental films by 22 libraries in New York State concludes that the keys to increased access and use of these films are substantial state or regional backup collections available at low or no cost to individual systems; provision of promotional and educational materials to advertise these works to patrons…