This first in a two-part series on how librarians can negotiate services and prices with subscription agencies focuses on how vendors operate. Factors that influence agency costs, revenues, and service charges are described, including economies of scale, discounts from publishers, and prepayment and cash flow. (seven references) (LRW)

This paper presents general advice, illustrated by examples from the experience of the state of Ohio, on the use of written agreements, contracts, and the competitive bidding process, and indicates the benefits they can bring to a number of areas in library purchasing. Examples are concerned with the procurement of general supplies, binding…

Recounts the conversion of name headings and uniform titles in the OCLC database to conform with AACR2. The conversion was used to resolve OCLC record conflicts resulting from previous rule changes and to make heading forms conform to LC preferred forms where possible. (RAA)

Describes the services offered to librarians by book vendors and addresses the effects of increasing costs and decreasing funds on library acquisitions and publishers as well as on vendors. The costs of ordering and processing library materials are discussed, and labor-saving devices in acquisitions are suggested. (LRW)

Discusses rare books in library collections and problems that are encountered with theft and/or preservation. Highlights include the effects of online auctions on the Internet; costs of replacing lost materials; and libraries that keep valuable books in the circulating collection, stamping them and subjecting them to use that devalues them. (LRW)

The Brooklyn Public Library presents information concerning its organization, goals, expenditures, utilization, services, special programs, and holdings each year in an annual report to the Mayor and City Council of New York. This collection of five reports covers the activities of the library in the fiscal years beginning in 1972, 1973, 1974,…

Explains the principles and mechanics of double-entry bookkeeping as a part of the accounting cycle to produce a functioning set of accounting records. Suggests that libraries need to have accurate and timely information about their spending to gain financial control and protect against fraud and abuse. (LRW)

Highlights of the 1975/76 annual report for the University Libraries at the State University of New York at Albany include: (1) acquisitions dropped markedly; (2) follow-up on the report of the library review team, including the beginning of a long term project of developing a statement of mission and objectives for each unit by library staff and…

The California Library Authority for Systems and Services (CLASS) was formed by a Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement in June, 1976, to assist in developing and implementing a system for library program development and resource sharing. As a cooperative public agency, CLASS serves academic, public, and special libraries. The first annual report…

Summarizes the budgeting methodology followed at one Canadian university faced with making budget cuts to achieve a balanced budget. The article focuses on the business library component, providing the major results of the process as well as discussing the problems encountered, the benefits, and the drawbacks. (Author)

Discusses the cost-billing procedures implemented by a private company library. Formulae for billing are explained in the context of provision of commercial services at competitive market prices within a balanced budget. (JKP)

Four articles provide overviews of as many library association conferences, i.e., the American Library Association (ALA), Canadian Library Association (CLA), Medical Library Association (MLA), and Special Library Association (SLA). Highlights include budget concerns; honors and awards; social, national, and international issues; and changes in the…

Describes the problems encountered by a depository library in the acquisition of government publications, provides a listing of sources of government publications, and suggests strategies for the acquisition of documents. (CLB)

Describes informative measures used by a library advisory committee to advise university administrators of the adverse impact of budgetary constraints on the operation of the academic library. (RAA)

Reviews the problem of rising periodical subscriptions costs for libraries, and argues that subscribers must take a stand by refusing to subsidize greedy publishers. Guidelines for increasing the effectiveness of serials budgets by decreasing the number of subscriptions are suggested. (CLB)