This is the 14th annual study of the cost of American periodicals and serial services arranged by subject headings. (Author/DH)

Compares current problems with optical disks to errors made with past technological innovations in libraries. Lack of hardware standardization, software incompatibility, and high prices are discussed. Widespread library commitment not to purchase optical disc systems until both technical standards and price guidelines are established is advocated.…

Urges library administrators to reject the findings of the Kent Study concerning the curtailment of library acquisitions and the sharing of library materials. The Pittsburgh Senate Library Committee raises serious questions of flawed methodology in the conduct of the study. Seven references are listed. (RAA)

Shares thoughts and concerns of library distributor executives about current trends in the academic library marketplace, changes in vendor services, and the impact of shrinking library budgets. Reports that vendors expect increases in electronic interactions with libraries, use of standards, and vendor supplied technical services and materials…

This summary of the annual meeting of the New England Library Association presents highlights of presentations on federal aid futures, public relations and internal communications, building and maintaining a videocassette collection, online catalogs, and approval plans, as well as remarks by book award winners, another author, and a publisher.…

Includes three articles that debate whether interlibrary loan (ILL) is the best way to get public library patrons what they need. Highlights include return on investment; funding; alternatives to ILL, including purchase on demand and online full-text databases; cost effectiveness; and the advantages of patron-initiated ILL through interconnected…

Discusses Indiana-Marion County Public Library's decision to implement centralized collection selection and to hire a collection development librarian. Benefits of centralized selection include the decentralization of subject materials and the consequent broadening of subject materials at branch libraries. Selection depends upon a knowledge of the…

Reports on the third "Library Journal" survey of public and academic audiovisual specialists and media librarians, which focused on the long-term outlook for audiocassette and videocassette collections. The survey covered present and planned budgets, circulation growth, selection criteria, theft, damage, competition from local stores,…