This paper considers estimation of parameters for a model currently being used to study the Illinois Interlibrary Loan Network (ILLINET) and presents a method for determining how much data should be collected and how it should be aggregated. Four classes of model parameters discussed: demands, probabilities of success, processing times, and…

A library network model is reviewed and a derivation is presented that requires fewer assumptions and allows more robust representations of library networks. (Author)

Analyzes the half-life of book use through analysis of over 10,000 regional and statewide interlibrary loan requests. Correcting for the growth of the literature, this study indicated that the half-lives of monographs may increase from lower to higher levels of the hierarchy in a library network. (CWM)

A case study of the Suburban Library System (SLS) was conducted by applying an analytical library network model to data collected during March 1978. Models are developed for describing the intralibrary processing activities encountered at SLS and the other resource libraries in this case study. Alternative routing policies for referring requests…

Relatively recent developments, ranging from microfilm catalogs to networked circulation systems, have the potential of removing much of the uncertainty from the routing of interlibrary loan requests. The opportunity of purchasing location and availability information changes the performance of a model interlibrary loan network. Data collected in…

The inputs to mathematical models of library operations require periodic updating. The data collection effort necessary for such updating can be quite expensive; however, if the data collected can serve multiple purposes, the costs can perhaps be justified. A management information system (MIS) offers a vehicle for multiple uses of data, and thus…

This case study describes the application of an analytical library network model to data collected during April 1977. Models are developed for describing the intralibrary processing activities encountered at each of the resource libraries in the study, and alternative routing policies for referring requests among resource libraries are analyzed. A…

A research project sponsored by the Illinois State Library had two goals: to develop a set of mathematical models suitable for predicting the impact of alternative library network policies on network preformance, and to demonstrate through series of case studies that the methodology developed could feasibly be applied to real library networking…

A mathematical model was used to consider alternative request routing policies for use in the Illinois Library and Information Network. Given data on interlibrary loan demands, the probability of request success, processing and delivery times for various libraries, and a network request routing policy, the model predicted the probability of…

Discusses the design of a model-based management information system in terms of mathematical/statistical, information processing, and human factors issues and presents a prototype system for interlibrary loan networks. (Author/CWM)