This SPEC kit is based on a June 1987 survey of approval plan use by 94 members of the Association of Research Libraries. It reports on the current practices of these libraries, the perceived advantages and disadvantages of using approval plans, and the effect of increased library materials costs and library automation on such plans. It is noted…

This in-depth report discusses findings from a survey of academic, public, and special libraries to determine the effects of budgetary curtailments on acquisition and retention policies for scholarly journals. Effects of budget reallocation, library efforts to alleviate economic pressures, and borrowing/lending activities are described. The…

The subjects of these metropolitan public library study summaries include: book-selection and purchasing, commercial libraries, library research in developing countries; international understanding through literature, international school for library services, statistics, staffing formulas, and facilities and service of selected libraries.…

The operation of the university library is examined. Despite the increase in size of libraries, their standard of service is declining. Reasons for this decline are advanced. The strategic goals of the library are redefined with implications for the library's acquisition, shelving, and retention policies. (Author)

This study, which was carried out with the support of the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) and Unesco between February 1981 and June 1982, is believed to be the first of its kind in the field of official publications collections. The report is based on a detailed analysis of the 199 replies received to 563 questionnaires…

Describes a study conducted at the Utah State University library that investigated electronic database awareness and use by 856 administrators and teaching faculty. Responses to a survey revealed the need for greater publicity regarding new electronic acquisitions, training opportunities, and methods of remote access. (Author/LRW)

Public library use and librarians' knowledge of access to government documents were assessed through a survey of 108 participating public libraries in Kentucky in preparation for a one-day workshop providing instruction in government documents. Response rate was 43 percent. Community needs were determined by classification of the particular…

Three contiguous schools in the upper midwest--a teacher's training college and a private four-year college in one state, and a land-grant university in another--were studied to see if their libraries could merge one of their major divisions--technical services--into a single administrative unit. Potential benefits from such a merger were felt to…

A survey of local history collections in Nebraska public libraries was made in an attempt to determine whether public libraries in that state were building local history collections; what items were being collected; and how collections were acquired, used, and promoted. The survey also attempted to ascertain if there was a demonstrable…

This study examines the actual and the desired performance of school librarians in areas of planning, accessing networks, instructional and curriculum development, and production of learning resources. A questionnaire based on the 1976 certification requirements for Texas learning resources specialists was constructed as the survey instrument.…

Presents eight articles that discuss research on libraries and librarianship; number of libraries in the U.S. and Canada; highlights of NCES (National Center for Education Statistics) surveys; library acquisition expenditures; budgets; price indexes; library buildings construction; and expenditures for school library media center resources. (LRW)

The following papers were presented at a joint conference of the Mountain Plains Library Association, the North Dakota Library Association, and the South Dakota Library Association in September 1987: (1) "Catalog Backlog Project" (Kay Juricek, Tedine Roos, and Carol White); (2) "How Are We Doing? Using a Materials Availability…

Discussion of library cooperation focuses on a survey that investigated cooperation among university libraries in Ghana. Library cooperation in the United Kingdom, United States, and Nigeria is described; areas of cooperation in Ghana are discussed, including interlibrary loans, cataloging, and acquisitions; and recommendations for library…

An analysis is conducted of economic issues pertinent to library planning in higher education in the face of rising costs and diminishing financial support. The individual chapters deal with: 1) growth rates in large university libraries; 2) library costs in colleges and universities; 3) cost trends and long-range plans; 4) library data; and 5) a…

This kit, an updated version of a 1974 publication, resulted from a survey of Friends of the Library Organizations commissioned by Tulane University in 1974. All members of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) were surveyed with a mailed questionnaire. The survey analysis is based on the 63 ARL members who responded, 33 of whom had Friends…