The question of whether a library's catalog should consist of cards arranged in a single alphabetical order (the "dictionary catalog) or be segregated as a separate file is discussed. Development is extended to encompass related problems involved in the creation of a book catalog. A model to study the effects of congestion at the catalog is…

The problem of forecasting monthly demands for library network services is considered in terms of using forecasts as inputs to policy analysis models, and in terms of using forecasts to aid in the making of budgeting and staffing decisions. Box-Jenkins time-series methodology, adaptive filtering, and regression approaches are examined and compared…

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…

Queueing theory is used to model processes as either waiting or balking processes. The optimal allocation of resources to these processes is defined as that which maximizes the expected value of the decision-maker's utility function. (Author)

A simple normative theory applicable to public library services was developed as a tool to aid libraries in answering the question: which books should be bought by the library? Although developed for normative purposes, the theory generates testable predictions. It is relevant to measuring benefits from services which are provided publicly because…

This proceedings volume of a seminar on planning library services is the third in a series of papers, published at irregular intervals, to report on research work by members of the University of Lancaster library staff. From January 1967 until June 1969 the Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI) organized regular meetings under the…

This proceedings volume of a seminar on planning library services is the third in a series of papers, published at irregular intervals, to report on research work by members of the University of Lancaster library staff. From January 1967 until June 1969 the Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI) organized regular meetings under the…

A model is provided for staffing telephone reference operations which allow for the balancing of staffing requirements and reference delivery standards. Telephone service is assumed, but it should be equally applicable to any reference queuing situation. (Author)

This paper explains the theoretical links between the demand for library service and key economic variables, and describes how demand was estimated in one specific experimental context: the demand for library service by institutional users of the Cleveland Health Sciences Library. (Author)

Proposes a model of library output as an abstract quantity, and relates it to other components of library performance. The consequences of basing library funding on such measurable outputs as circulation are also examined in light of the proposed model. A 13-item reference list and four figures are provided. (JL)

Classical queuing theories and their accompanying service facilities totally disregard the human factors in the name of efficiency. As library managers we need to be more responsive to human needs in the design of service points and make every effort to minimize queuing and queue frustration. Five references are listed. (Author/RAA)

This study investigated ways in which the costs of a library's direct and indirect services can be equitably allocated to its heterogeneous group of institution users. It was conducted from October 1, 1974 to March 31, 1977. The final report is divided into four parts, each describing a separate issue. Part I discusses the general administrative…

Part II of the study describes a model for associating one portion of total library costs with use; the model's output is a set of charges that can be used to recover (justify) these usage-based costs. Algebraic formulations constructed and combined to form the model are a set of service charges that may vary by user type and recover out-of-pocket…

Part III of the study describes a model for completing the cost assessment (justification) process by accounting for the fixed joint costs; a "fair" and equitable mechanism is developed in the context of game-theoretic approach. An n-person game is constructed in which the "players" are the institutions served by the library,…

Part IV is a summary analysis of sample and survey data collected to facilitate the structure of the cost assessment models and to find out which, if any, subgroups of HAM-TMC user population make more (or less) use of various library services. Sampling data were obtained from brief interviews and in-house files of various user institutions to…