Though many of the functions of libraries are analogous to functions performed in the business world, public libraries have been disadvantaged by their reluctance to adopt computer technology. Though costs have previously been prohibitive and lack of uniformity in library processes has made the use of the new technology awkward, recently-developed…

A summary of the financial aspects of library system operation, based on financial data extracted from the Public Library Association's "Public Library Systems in the United States: A Survey of Multijurisdictional Systems. (JB)

In this report, a task force appointed by the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS) to prepare a plan for a National Periodicals program recommends a three level program consisting of: (1) local, state, and regional library systems responsible for meeting a substantial portion of routine needs for periodicals; (2) a…

A decade after the establishment of a library system, Spring Valley's Finkelstein Library has seceded from the system. (Author)

Using data provided by the annual reports of Illinois public libraries and by the Illinois state library, this publication is a companion to the November 1982 issue of "Illinois Libraries," which enumerated the 16 data elements upon which the analyses are based. Three additional types of information are provided for each of six…

Kansas has a large number of small city-supported public libraries. In many cases because the cities are unable to provide adequate financial support for their libraries, limited services are offered. Because of the need for greater tax bases for libraries, a number of county libraries and one regional library have been formed. However, many of…

Reports on the efforts of the California State University and Colleges to develop a series of cost studies to identify and analyze specific library operations as a basis for decision-making among alternatives. (Author/PF)

Since the formal organization of the Michigan Library Consortium, its financial support has come through membership fees and a grant from the Michigan State Library from Title III funds. The financing of the consortium is already a complex operation and will become even more complex as new programs are undertaken, since funds have been accepted…

The principal purpose of the survey was to acquire data on U. S. and Canadian transportation library expenditures, staff, processing capacity, modal specialization and geographic distribution. Information was also requested on interaction between libraries and users outside the sponsoring organization, and viewpoints were solicited on needs for…

The Library Labor Cost Accounting System will provide visibility on current costs of manually processing library materials, at each campus as well as system-wide. The scope of the study includes the following: (1) 100 individual activities, grouped into 14 functional areas, e.g., Ordering, Receiving; and into 3 major operations: Acquisitions,…

The author reviews the aftermath of the passage of Proposition 13 in California and speculates on the survival of public libraries. (RK)

Presents an example of a pricing policy for any interlibrary courier service which (1) calculates fixed, travelling, and stopping costs; (2) charges by how often the courier stops at each participating library; and (3) uses any subsidies for costs libraries cannot control. (CDD)

The recent experiences of the Ohio College Library Center's computer-based cataloging system illustrate how the computer can facilitate interlibrary cooperation. The paper also presents some of the difficult organizational problems which must be coped with in developing a computer-based cooperative system. (6 references) (Author/DH)

Four cooperative library system models are identified: a) bilateral exchange, b) multilateral pooling, c) dual-service common-output, d) service-center or facilitating participant; a) and d) are considered in detail. (Author/DH)

The problem of how much of a branch library's budget should be spent on acquisition of new material as opposed to holding capital in reserve to photoduplicate material at the main library upon demand is presented. (Author)