Because of the high incidence of special-collections thefts and embezzlements during the past decade, library management must reassess its "user friendly" philosophy for both library patrons and employees. An internal control system is described. Causes of theft, and policies and procedures for protecting the collection are discussed. (AEF)

This theme issue contains eight papers that were originally presented at a conference sponsored by the University of Oklahoma Libraries on library acquisitions. Highlights include budgeting problems in academic libraries; maintaining research library collections; monograph collections in scientific libraries; vendors' perspectives; electronic…

Addresses the problems of how theft in libraries and archives is discovered, the proper aims of any recovery plan, actions that must included in the recovery plan, and the impact of a theft and recovery effort on the department. Offers concrete solutions vital to any recovery effort. (AEF)

Provides an overview of traditional allocation methods for academic library materials budgets and describes a study conducted at the University of Tennessee Libraries that analyzed the MARC records of highly circulated titles to discover patterns of commonality that could be used in future selection work. (Contains 10 references.) (LRW)

Describes strategies that academic libraries can use to stretch the collection budget in the face of increasing costs. Collection management measures are discussed, including cancellations, coordinated buying, and cooperative databases; budgetary strategies are described; and political factors are considered, including faculty support,…

Discusses libraries' participation in consortia, cooperatives, or networks to help cope with the financial pressures created by more available materials and less money. Reasons for participating are examined, factors to determine the value of belonging are suggested, cost factors are considered, and cooperative collection development is described.…

Discusses the increased costs of library materials, the need for a new budgeting approach, and the impact of technology. The development of a library materials index that was developed at Ohio State University to provide a consistent source for measuring library materials expenditures against the marketplace is described. (Contains 14 references.)…

Examines the rising costs of library materials and the impact on access to information. Four types of cooperative library programs are described: (1) programs to extend scholarly resources; (2) programs to reduce materials costs by dividing collecting responsibility; (3) programs to improve clients' access to information; and (4) programs to…

Describes the services offered to librarians by book vendors and addresses the effects of increasing costs and decreasing funds on library acquisitions and publishers as well as on vendors. The costs of ordering and processing library materials are discussed, and labor-saving devices in acquisitions are suggested. (LRW)

Presents the vendor's perspective on how libraries choose and evaluate a vendor's performance. Characteristics of vendors are described, including being profit-oriented, market-driven, and highly competitive; issues in the three basic areas of service, price, and automation are discussed; and the influence of personality is considered. (LRW)

Considers trends and influences that affect the relationship between libraries and vendors. Topics discussed include information in electronic formats; selection criteria; economic factors and library budgets; resource sharing and cooperative collection development; sociological changes; preservation activities; and the evaluation of dealers. (six…

An analysis of user requests for interlibrary loan materials revealed that about 5% of the total requests placed at the University of Oklahoma required lending fees. Costs and users' willingness to pay those costs are reviewed. Libraries seeking cost recovery would provide more efficient and democratic service if flat charges on all requests were…

Describes criteria that libraries should use in selecting a book vendor from the vendor's point of view and reports on the results of a survey of community college libraries that was conducted to determine their vendor selection priorities. Highlights include accuracy of order fulfillment, discounts, and customer service. (three references) (LRW)

Presents information on law enforcement relating to library crimes. Discusses jurisdiction, reporting a loss, law enforcement response, law enforcement's expectations, suspects, publicity, the aftermath, and testimony in court. (AEF)

Discusses budgets for library materials and how to select and evaluate book and serial vendors. Trends in automation, publishing, and economics that affect both libraries and vendors are discussed; and examples from the University of California at Berkeley that include serials service charges and approval plan discounts are presented. (six…