It is shown that Trueswell's empirical 80/20 rule arises from type of stochastic model for library loans presented by Burrell and Cane. Particular attention is paid to previously suggested uses of rule in identifying "core collection" for library noting that length of time period is of crucial importance. (20 references) (EJS)

A study conducted at the Western Australian Institute of Technology (W.A.I.T.) investigated the declining use of an external library collection consisting of 12,000 volumes and 1,600 photocopies of articles from journals and monographs. The problem was approached along several avenues: (1) a survey was made of study guides to ascertain what…

Results of survey evaluating physical condition of 36,500 volumes and nature of collections in Yale University Library system reveal that 37.1 percent of books sampled overall had brittle paper and 82.6 percent had acidic paper. Sampling methodology, survey instructions, abbreviations for publishing countries, and methods of statistical analysis…

Reports on research that examined the clustering of similar books provided by a classification system and ways in which the books that patrons circulate are clustered in a university library. Measures of classification system performance are suggested and used to evaluate two test collections. Consequences for full-text document systems and online…

Argues that the analytical comparison of library collections to the people using those collections could provide insights related to library acquisition priorities and practices, and describes and illustrates a method for analyzing this relationship. A sidebar by Myra White describes an application of the results of such a study at California…

Investigates techniques for automatic classification of book material focusing on: computer-based surrogation of monographic material, book surrogate clustering on basis of content association, evaluation of resultant classifications. Test collection (250 books) is described with surrogation by means of back-of-the-book index, table of contents,…

Reports results of survey of materials challenged in Manitoba's school and public libraries conducted between September 1982 and August 1984 to identify who challenged what, why, and the results. Findings from similar surveys in Alberta, Wisconsin, and Minnesota are also reported. Materials challenged are listed, noting complaint, complainant, and…

This report presents data for the 108 university libraries and 11 public or private, independent research libraries that were members of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) during the 1992-93 fiscal year. Data are reported in alphabetical order on collections (volumes in library, gross and net volumes added, monographs purchased, current…

In order to explain the derivation and implications of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) Library Index (a descriptive statistical indicator of research library quality which is based on an analysis of certain key library characteristics), this paper discusses regression and correlation as methods for measuring relations between such…

This report on a study of the acquisition policies and procedures of the Mesa College Library (Grand Junction, Colorado) begins by discussing the techniques used for data collection, including: (1) measurement of shelflist cards; (2) calculation of average imprint date, accession date, number of circulations, price, and year of latest circulation;…

Discusses a survey of over 500 public, academic, and special libraries on the use of bibliographic, reference, specialized, and multimedia/interactive CD-ROMs and the Internet. Demand, funding, and equipment needs are considered, and graphs display the distribution of results. (AEF)

This paper identifies obstacles to physical and intellectual access and effective use of books and media by South African children and suggests some possible solutions. It also includes a description of a study of the attitudes of first-year student teachers at colleges of education and universities in the Transvaal towards school libraries. The…