This paper equates the variety of methods a social science bibliographer must use to build a useful and valuable research collection with the multiple approaches employed by detectives to solve crimes. Before presenting a sampling of strategies used by social science bibliographers, the paper defines the core disciplines of the social sciences…

Research was undertaken to determine if the growth of academic library holdings was exponential, as reported by previous studies. Statistical analysis showed the growth rate of the Association of Research Libraries member libraries to be arithmetical, rather than exponential, taking into account library size and inflation. (CDD)

Reviews the use of microfilm as an acquisitions and preservation tool in academic libraries, and discusses how this use has fallen short of predictions that microfilm would revolutionize research methodology and scholarly productivity. This history is used to provide cautionary guidance in approaching the era of electronic documentation. (35…

This report from the Senate Library Committee at the University of Pittsburgh evaluates a widely publicized study of monograph and periodical use conducted at Pitt by Professor Allen Kent and his associates from 1975-1977. Areas of the study which are examined include structure in text and footnotes, and experimental design, execution, and…

A survey of 29 medium-sized academic libraries gathered data on collection development methods in foreign literatures including the language and academic background of the bibliographer; bases of selection decisions; acquisition rates for French, German, and Spanish literature as compared to English/American literature; acquisition practices; and…

A survey of 164 academic and special libraries reveals that accessibility of equivalent databases online has had a relatively small effect thus far on decisions to discontinue subscriptions to printed abstracting and indexing services. Tables display printed form and online databases used by the libraries, and seven references are listed. (RBF)

Review of development of German scientific and technical information network highlights scientific and technical libraries before World War I, the 1920s, effects of National Socialist rise to power, restriction of foreign acquisitions, technological university and wartime activities at Berlin-Charlottenburg, documentation movement, German Society…

Analyzes the current serials acquisitions crisis in research libraries caused by price increases and suggests electronic communication as a possible solution. Concerns of academic administrators, commercial publishers, scholarly publishers, and research librarians are addressed; changes in the scholarly communication process are discussed; and…

This Systems and Procedures Exchange Center (SPEC) Kit on serials control and deselection projects provides a timely review of the efforts of research libraries to control the increasing costs of serial subscriptions. This kit contains documents from 13 libraries: University of California at Los Angeles and Riverside; Universities of Florida,…

As early as the sixth century B.C., China's imperial library served as a depository of national literature and archives, and in 1905 China's first public library was opened. Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, however, library development has been sporadic. Brief examinations of some of China's major libraries reveal the status,…

Discusses changes that are occurring in academic libraries as they try to keep up with the growth in sources of information. Topics discussed include acquisitions; interlibrary loan; new technologies in libraries; library expenditures; library staff; collection development; and the need to redefine the library's role to that of an information…

Discussion of integrated library systems focuses on the development of the Ohio Library and Information Network (OhioLINK). Capabilities of eight existing systems are described, including catalog creation and maintenance; the online public access catalog (OPAC); circulation, interlibrary loan, and document delivery; acquisitions and serials…

Describes the effects of economic factors on information services in Mexico. Topics discussed include librarians' salaries; inadequate library budgets; acquisitions in academic libraries; the development of public libraries; library networks; national databases; microcomputers and library automation; library research; effects of devaluation; and…

Intended as a basis for continuing and expanding cooperative network activities, this publication presents five comprehensive reports developed in 1981/82 which assess the academic libraries of the 16 public and private postsecondary educational institutions in Alabama. The five reports cover collection development, staff adequacy, space…

Reviews the literature on library acquisitions allocations and the lack of agreement on effective policies. Discussion focuses on a process developed at Western Washington University, which combines mathematical formulations of equity with the reality of campus politics, while protecting collection integrity. (44 references) (Author/CLB)