Activities within a library are combined with the library's floor plan to develop a model of the library as a network of queues. This model can be used to predict average patron processing times and costs as they are affected by demand characteristics and floor plan variations. (Author/FM)

Two methods are presented by which the librarian can forecast book circulation by subject. The shelflist model treats the number of library books as a control variable, while the other defines the dependent variable as the proportion of the shelflist circulated. (FM)

Discusses the purpose of mathematical models and reviews the phases of the modeling process--defining performance, representing the problem, predicting performance, estimating parameters, defining optimization criterion, determining solution, and implementing results. Reviews of book-use, resource allocation, and library network models are…

Planning techniques provide a means of systematically evaluating and documenting the impact of alternative land use strategies, thereby enabling state recreational planners to develop policies and programs offensively, rather than as defensive reactions to deteriorating situations. (MB)

Mental health programs, in addition to providing health services that are justifiable in a cost/benefit analysis, provide services promoting the quality of life which are not justifiable from this viewpoint, and which will (rightfully) be forced to compete with other humanistic university programs. (MB)

Discusses advertising on the World Wide Web and examines the issues that have to be resolved before such activities can proceed. Suggests a boilerplate policy for other institutions that may wish to explore this avenue for publicity and revenue generation. (Author/AEF)

Presents four frames to help understand library reference encounters, including the structural frame that uses rationality to establish procedures; the human resource frame, based on the satisfaction of needs in motivating people; the political frame that addresses allocation of resources; and the symbolic frame that assigns meaning to work.…

The Further and Higher Education Act (1992) heralded a significant change in funding the British further education sector. Incorporation of colleges means that financial decisions are now made at a college level, not by local education authorities. In assuming financial accountability, colleges have struggled to make commercial decisions in a…

An Arizona district funded staff salary raises by developing some workable budget-reduction strategies. The process emphasized garnering board and community support and collaborating with employee groups. A list of 67 ideas for generating revenues or reallocating program dollars represented $9 million in savings. A condensed list saving $3 million…

Results of California study that indicate, among other things, that hiring more administrators raises verbal SAT scores and lowers dropout rates. Findings also suggest that reducing class size and hiring more teachers but fewer administrators may not raise student test scores--at least in California. (PKP)

Examined the relative efficiency of 10 South African universities between 1994 and 1997 using the analytical review technique. Identified the relatively efficient, relatively inefficient, and least efficient. Important efficiency factors include student population dimensions, quality and deployment of personnel resources, and allocation of…

Presents an expenditure structure organized into nine elements that help reveal the educational strategies behind a school's use of resources. Structure also includes a set of resource indicators. When school budget data and resource indicators are organized according to the expenditure structure, strategies such as class-size reduction and a…

Attempts to provide useful data concerning higher education costs by instruction level. Analyzes case study results to determine the ratios between unit costs of providing instruction at lower-division, upper-division, and graduate levels. Considerable care must be exercised in developing and using cost ratios in funding or allocation formulas.…

Analysis of the relationship between performance data and changes in faculty size of 40 departments in a College of Arts and Sciences during a time of financial stress found that the rational choice model was applied to decision making. There was a systematic relationship between objective, evaluative data and policy decisions. (MLW)

The common campus dilemma of decreasing or distributing central information systems (IS) resources while pursuing development of mission-critical systems that will require increased central IS support is discussed. Areas in which such increased support is needed are outlined, and the need for leadership is described. Specific steps are suggested.…