The major benefit of library automation lies in the potential for sharing infrequently used titles among libraries through local, regional, national, and international networks. These offer administrators a powerful tool for maximizing their institutions' research resources and flexibility. (Author/MSE)

Materials in this bibliography were selected and recommended by members of the Use of Machine-Assisted Reference in Public Libraries Committee, Reference and Adult Services Division, American Library Association. Topics include: financial aspects, equipment and communications considerations, comparing databases and database systems, advertising…

The paper discusses the placement of moderate, severely, and profoundly handicapped children from large institutions into a group home of five children in a community setting. Emphasis is on the cost comparison of children in an institution, a group home, and a single-family residence over a five-year period. (Author)

Discusses a study estimating the instructional, administrative, and per-pupil costs of implementing school-based support teams in special education programs in three New York City districts. Draws on the results to describe the problems of defining and estimating special education costs in urban schools, and of interpreting cost-related…

Michigan's Wayne County Intermediate School District, which serves 36 constituent districts, has converted from a centralized to a distributed computer system, resulting in improved and expanded data processing service to local district administrators, staff, and students at a substantially lower cost. (Author/MLF)

Many crucial questions need to be answered before a college embarks on a construction project and makes a substantial financial commitment. Computer modeling techniques can be used to make even complex project feasibility analyses. Available from Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co., 345 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10154. (MSE)

Considers the choice of a computer-assisted instructional system from several points of view--student attitudes, cost effectiveness, and system performance level. In a comparison of five systems conducted at the University of Leyden in The Netherlands, the PLATO system was preferred. (JJD)

Analyzes specific inadequacies cited by the World Bank in its foreign aid procedures: inadequate exploration of cost-effectiveness options; inconsistent application of manpower analysis; and lack of exploratory stage in large-scale impact projects. Part of a theme issue on the World Bank and aid to Third World educational development. (Author/SJL)

Vocational agriculture is education for work. By meeting the needs of the economy and the job market, it can meet the needs of the individual. Although human resource development is important, vocational agriculture should focus on job-relevant competencies and cost effectiveness. (SK)

The nine subcategories and 20 specific projects within five research areas in library and information science which are summarized were identified by information specialists who evaluated and assigned priorities to nearly 100 proposed research projects prepared by Cuadra Associates, Inc. Participants in the four-day meeting are listed. (RBF)

Describes the application of computer based instruction (CBI) to prepare adult learners for new roles as managers in the acquisition of major defense systems. CBI efficiency and effectiveness are considered in terms of their potential to contribute to organizational performance needs and goals. (MER)

The debate about cost as it pertains to medical technology misses the mark by not pressing on the central problem of increased prevalence of chronic illness. Far from cost containment, what are needed are additional services which may in the end reduce total costs. (Author/MJL)

Three major constraints on admissions and records offices in the next decade--enrollment stabilization or decline, technological improvements, and steady-state funding--will have the greatest effect on staff, faculty, administration, and students. Appropriate planning in these three areas can serve to bolster the entire academic system. (MSE)

Reviews three types of online bibliographic retrieval studies: evaluation studies, including online service costs, manual versus online searching and vendor comparison; use and user studies, examining various populations; and projects designed to improve user access and user aids, such as vocabulary search aids and inter-system compatibility.…

The many and varied demands on university computer services are discussed and the importance of an effective data processing system for university management is emphasized. Case studies of computer use in admissions, registration, and billing are presented as well as the role of top level management in implementing data processing. (BH)