Twenty descriptive case studies of computer applications in a variety of libraries are presented in this book. Computerized circulation, serial and acquisition systems in public, high school, college, university and business libraries are included. Each of the studies discusses: 1) the environment in which the system operates, 2) the objectives of…

Describes the weeding process for children's magazines in a public library. Highlights include circulation statistics; cost effectiveness; online availability; shelving magazines by subject to try and increase their use; and a chart that lists reasons to keep and reasons to cancel subscriptions when weeding a periodical collection. (LRW)

To search out areas for library cost reduction, a cost-effectiveness study of an overdue pickup operation was conducted. Labor and vehicle mileage costs and costs of planning the weekly pickup route were tabulated, and compared against the value returns from fines and the avoided cost of replacing lost items. Labor and mileage was determined at…

A one-year study of interlibrary loan expense was conducted at Wichita State University (KS) to identify areas of interlibrary loan expense, compare results of cost studies from large research libraries, and provide a reference point in determining how to best balance Interlibrary loans and commercial document delivery systems. Analyzes salary,…

Updates a storage cost model for academic library collections by examining how changes in construction costs and circulation costs affect the choices of an alternative book storage strategy. Results show that the most economical alternative for a large range of construction and circulation cost alternatives is to convert existing ground space to…

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…

Describes measures of cost effectiveness that are useful for academic library collections, based on experiences at the Louisiana State University libraries. Highlights include circulation analysis of newly cataloged books; current periodical use compared to cost; faculty ranking of journals; and circulation patterns (i.e., use versus cost and…

A study of the Purdue University Libraries was conducted to help allocate costs by user group and academic department. A circulation survey was taken to determine user identification. The sampling included reserve material used in the library, materials borrowed overnight or longer, and use of photocopy service. Copies of transaction cards were…

A general methodology for cost effectiveness analysis was developed and applied to the Colorado State University library loan desk. The cost effectiveness of the existing semi-automated circulation system was compared with that of a fully manual one, based on the existing manual subsystem. Faculty users' time and computer operating costs were…

This study was conducted to determine what fraction of the total cost of the Stanford University library system can properly be charged to each of the four major groups of users: undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty and staff, and non-Stanford users. Eight separate cost elements were developed for each of the library's cost centers…

The costs of providing access to serial literature in four university research libraries were examined in this study, and a methodology was developed for comparing borrowing costs with the costs of acquisition, cataloging, maintenance, and circulation. Mathematical models are provided by which any library can determine at what frequency of use of…