Describes the development of the San Jose Public Library's newly operational SCICON circulation control system, one of the largest and fastest online systems in America. (RAA)

The Committee on Fines and Penalties reports plans and activities in studying fines, penalties, and punitive activities in libraries. Findings are reported for public, academic, and school libraries, and recommendations made. (KP)

Presents results of survey of 52 public libraries designed to determine which circulation and overdues activities affected overdue rate. Tables summarize findings on mean overdues rate, and effects of charging fines, restricting borrowing privileges, loan period, renewing books, notices sent, telephoning, court cases, population serviced, and…

This study collects and analyzes information on the characteristics of the community and the public library system of East Brunswick, and provides an example of a library planning method responsive to community needs. Unobtrusive data collection techniques utilizing the 1970 census, local reports, and library records were the primary sources of…

Discusses the right of authors to remuneration for library lending in terms of which authors, publications, libraries, and users are eligible. Problems with measurement and recording, sources of funds, and other practical and economic considerations are also examined. Eight references are listed. (CHC)

Discusses the increase in circulation over the past seven years at the Queens Borough Public Library. Improvements in collections, promotion, and services responsible for this increase are examined, and circulation data are presented in graphs. (MES)

Two surveys were conducted in 1981/82 and 1982 respectively to determine if Illinois public libraries were satisfying their patrons in terms of book use, and how much money Illinois public libraries received directly from their patrons in library fines, fees, and charges. In the first study, 2,133 adults returning a book at a random sample of 71…

This is a study on the operating efficiency of the public library system in Australia. Cost functions have been fitted to library data and the results are interpreted with a view to generating insights into the functioning of the existing library system. An exploratory cost benefit analysis has also been attempted. Activities of libraries have…

Proposes ways in which computerized data available in public libraries can be organized and used for management decision making. Experiences in the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library system and the Monroe County (Indiana) Public Library system are described, and use of the data for preparing materials acquisition budgets is discussed. (36…

Papers on two projects are presented that deal with the effective use of volunteers in rural public libraries. The first paper on simplifying manual circulation techniques, explains a circulation system that volunteers in a rural library can use easily and efficiently. Setting only four due dates a month and filing all materials alphabetically in…

Discusses the public lending right (PLR) with respect to infringements by libraries, financial losses by authors due to library circulation, the effects of PLR on libraries, and the beneficiaries of PLR. The contributions libraries make to authors are described, and alternatives to PLR are suggested. Twenty references are listed. (CHC)

A study commissioned by the Milwaukee Federated Library System identified problems and proposed organizational strategies towards their solution. A manifest problem with research and reference service cost allocations led to Milwaukee County's withholding of funds, while latent problems were identified in the interlibrary book circulation system.…

Measurements of materials and library operations were carried out in five public libraries and an observation study of staff work was conducted in the Hawaii State Library. The goals of this phase of the larger state study included testing and modification of measures to ensure their applicability to public libraries in the state, and the…

The instructions provided for carrying out data collection and analysis procedures for library materials, services, and users include sampling techniques. Evaluation methodology is described for determining the probability of a user finding and obtaining a recently published book in a particular library, title and periodical availability, how a…

The quality and success of library services to users at the City of Brampton Public Library and Art Gallery, Ontario, Canada, were investigated through a series of questionnaires, statistical data analyses, and comparisons with past use studies of this and other public libraries. The study utilized the operational methodology outlined by Altman in…