Discusses the concept of information value and presents major findings of user studies and collection evaluations. A case study describing the implementation of networks for information in the areas of biomedicine and agronomy in Brazil in the late 1960s is presented. (35 references) (MES)

Describes the management and collection of standardized educational and psychological tests at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and analyzes the use patterns of patron request cards. Current electronic test locators and evaluation services are indicated as well. (Author/LRW)

Discusses references collections in academic libraries and offers guidelines for placing materials in a reference collection that focus on their suitability for true reference functions and the expected frequency of use. Problems with poorly managed collections are discussed, and the importance of selection policies and weeding are emphasized. (37…

A study of the collection of college catalogs at a medium-sized university library found that they are used by many types of clients in addition to undergraduates; users need a current, comprehensive collection and are not bothered by a lack of shelf order; use is enough to justify the collection. (Author/EM)

Describes how analysis of the circulation of federal government publications over a 40-month period at Western Illinois University revealed patterns of usage that allowed the library to make more informed collection management decisions. The most frequently circulated classes of government documents are listed as a guide for other depository…

Explores the question of the cost effectiveness of ownership versus access to low-use serials using data collected during a use study at the State University of New York at Albany and from a national cost study. Discussion includes interlibrary loan, document delivery services, and the impact of cancellations on user's needs. (LRW)

This narrative description summarizes the planning and implementation of a periodical use survey conducted during fall 1985 and spring 1986 to determine who uses the Fitchburg State College Library periodical holdings and which periodicals are used. Relevant literature is discussed, the purpose of the survey is explained, and survey procedures are…

This report describes a use study designed to facilitate the selection of books that will be needed and used by identifying heavily used subjects and publishers in an academic library's collection of nursing books. Discussions include the study background and significance, study limitations, and basic assumptions. In addition, the procedures for…

Discusses the use of library management data, particularly circulation data, in making selection decisions for library collection development based on experiences at Louisiana State University. Development of a collection based on actual use rather than perceived research needs is considered, and the decision-making process for serials…

The purpose of this research was to look at the currency of the collection of a small public library and to determine the relationship between the amount of usage of the collection and the currency of publications in the collection. A 10% systematic sample was taken of the circulating nonfiction adult shelf list of the Franklin Public Library…

This report describes a study of the use of science and technology books and journals in an academic library which was conducted to ascertain whether journal use can be predicted by book circulation figures. The study background and significance are discussed, terms are defined, study limitations are considered, and basic assumptions are…

The effectiveness of the following methods for identifying college students' serials needs for collection development purposes is compared: reshelving/ILL; bibliography; and survey. Bibliographies of student projects or student surveys provided the most comprehensive evaluation. Four diagrams depict data. (AEF)

Reports on a use study of citations from college freshman composition papers at Western Illinois University (Illinois) that indicated the need for library instruction and library collection building. Tables and graphs indicate the number of citations per bibliography; the number and types of format sources; publication dates; and distribution of…

As the price of scientific publications soars to Olympian heights, it becomes imperative to base selection decisions on reliable measures for potential use of the prospective titles. A systematic examination of interlibrary loan (ILL) requests should yield hard facts as to the nature of requests and areas of specialization most dependent upon…

Survey of science faculty at Arizona State University and Washington State University on interlibrary loan (ILL) usage revealed a need for journals unavailable in the university library but a tendency to bypass ILL to obtain them. More efficient document delivery services are needed if subscriptions are canceled. (21 references) (LAE)