Over a 3-year period (1985-1987) site visits were made to selected U.S. libraries that focus on climbing or mountaineering as a specific area for comprehensive collection building to survey their monographic holdings, serial holdings, and special collections. The monographic collections were compared to two lists of outstanding mountaineering…

Provides a definition of reference books based on their organizational structure and describes an empirical study which was conducted in three libraries to identify types of book organization and determine their frequency in reference departments and stack collections. The data are analyzed and shown to support the definition. (EM)

This report includes statistics reported to the Missouri State Library by the various public, academic, special, and institutional libraries in Missouri. All data included in the report was supplied by the responding libraries, and the statistics were not edited or altered. The report is arranged alphabetically by type of library. Each type of…

Standard collection evaluation techniques appear to receive varying amounts of emphasis from one type of library to another. Differences in choice of technique arise from differing evaluation objectives, and choice of questions to be answered is determined by purpose(s) of library and additional factors (i.e., governance, clientele, size). (97…

In May 1982 a questionnaire eliciting information about federal document needs and the experiences of librarians in libraries that are not depositories was mailed to more than 150 libraries in the Western New York region. Replies were received from 57 libraries: approximately 20% from college libraries; 50% from public libraries; and 30% from…

To explain why member libraries were failing to fill interlibrary loan requests, this study surveyed 26 public, school, community college, university, and special libraries throughout the Cooperative Information Network (CIN). The study was designed to discover: which libraries were chosen for loans, how soon patrons wanted loan information, how…

This technical report contains the survey forms and statistical detail of a study of Massachusetts libraries, the purpose of which was to assess the current state of library services and library cooperative activities in Massachusetts and recommend strategies to develop an action plan for the improvement of library services. In particular, the…

Describes development of the Huntington Library, the largest and most complete repository in the United States of source material on British and American civilization from the Middle Ages to 1850, noting setting, service to researchers and the public, and collections. (EJS)

Summarizes the background, services, and collections of the library. (PF)

Discusses collection development in the art research library in terms of the use of bibliographic acquisitions tools and the types of materials presently available in microformat; and analyzes the effects of such factors as permanence, bibliographic control, user resistance, and equipment considerations on the success of a microform acquisitions…

This special library houses one of the world's largest collections of Spanish drama and theatrical materials, particularly of the Golden Age, the teatromenor, and Catalan Theatre. The collection, facilities, and staffing are described. (Author/JPF)

The function of a Federal research library reflects the purpose of the laboratory it serves and the philosophy of the librarian. Libraries at the Fish and Wildlife Service research centers must rely on small specialized collections, supplemented by a large amount of cooperation among agency libraries and other subject-related collections. Due to…

Describes development of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, which opened in 1913, including the history of its research library. Library collections in support of biology and history and services to curatorial staff and other users are discussed. Director, collection and staff size, and main subjects collected are noted. (EJS)

Discussion of selection criteria for special collections in libraries focuses on the development of selection criteria at the National Museum of Science and Technology in Canada. The need for the involvement of staff members is discussed, and criteria for materials are described, including age, rarity, historical significance, and physical…