Reports on the book-buying trends and predilections of libraries at two-year colleges, four-year colleges, universities, and large research institutions. Four tables and figures show findings for purchasing power of academic libraries; areas academic librarians believe need more titles; most-bought book categories; and sources used to make…

Presents a decision theoretic model that minimizes the costs of the material selection decision process by using formal methods to rank materials. Illustrations of the process are provided, and an implementation method using MARC records is described. (Author/CLB)

This model addresses the use of past circulation data to support allocating an academic library acquisition budget. Suggests that the budget allocation should be able to reflect a requirement that the more a department makes use of its acquired materials in the present year, the more it can budget for the coming year. (Author/LRW)

Discussion of library purchasing decisions regarding serials focuses on efforts at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University to compile numerous measures into a comprehensive database for decision support. Discusses a faculty survey of serials needs and future implications. (Author/LRW)