Discusses strategic planning in libraries and outlines a cost-finding methodology to help library administrators practice strategic budgeting. Highlights include identifying products and services; types of budgets; types of costs; creating an enhanced operating budget; creating a program budget; and outputs and unit costs. (Contains six…

This report summarizes the accomplishments and activities of the project during the second quarter. An intensive search of the literature continued for data elements, outcome measures, and background information. A great deal of time and effort were devoted to the location, compilation, and comparison of extant data elements employed in collecting…

This annual report of Utah public library services presents data useful for local library planning. This information is presented in two sections: core performance measures and general tables. Statewide summary data and breakouts by the populations of the library jurisdictions are provided for the following core performance measures: (1) visits…

A system study of the Shelter Rock Public Library was conducted using available documents, background statistical data, and site visits. The library was found to be a strong public institution. The study group's major recommendations included: reorganization of the staff into three major departments--public services, technical services, and…

Discussion of the user opinion survey conducted by University of Cincinnati Libraries to aid in the participative planning process for library automation notes methodology, instrument design, distribution, analysis, feedback, rate of return, use of current record systems, sequence of automating record systems, and suggestions. Fourteen sources are…

Explains the criteria by which 50 public libraries were chosen as outstanding, and reports the results of a survey of the directors which focused on major problems in libraries; desired goals in administration and technical and public services; predicted trends; stage of computerization; and sources of information and new ideas. (CLB)

University of Oklahoma Libraries conducted a cost study of circulation service-desk operations. Using percentages of staff time occupied in particular tasks, pay rates, indirect costs, and overhead, total costs were computed on task-by-task basis. Information served as basis for reorganization of work assignments and revision of staff scheduling.…

Explores problems in the design and evaluation of programs by which special libraries market their services, and identifies potentially useful approaches and quantifiable measures for market structure analysis, design decision-making, and marketing program evaluation. Eleven references and a list of nine use studies with survey instruments are…

This analysis of life style data on a random sample of 423 adults demonstrates the value of such data in identifying the needs and interests of a community, and suggests ways in which such information can be used in planning and promoting public library programs. Twelve references are listed. (JL)

Discusses features of online library catalogs and their cost characteristics, including financial management and planning (hardware and software options, turnkey vendors); approaches to cost analysis (actual experiences, building blocks); baseline estimates for two average academic libraries; and vendor estimates. Forty-five references and a…

Describes steps in survey project that supplied information for contemplated merger of two libraries by estimating number of volumes and titles and duplication between John Crerar Library collections and University of Chicago Library science collections. Survey's findings for volume duplication are analyzed by subject groupings and by books and…

A branch library community analysis study identifies library users and nonusers, determines the area of service, and serves as a pilot project for a larger systemwide study. Significant findings suggest that users may be identified by their degree of participation in socio-cultural activities and adult education programs rather than demographic…

Circulation time-series data from 50 midwest academic libraries were used to test 110 variants of 8 smoothing forecasting methods. Data and methodologies and illustrations of two recommended methods--the single exponential smoothing method and Brown's one-parameter linear exponential smoothing method--are given. Eight references are cited. (EJS)

Outline of the development of a university library serving approximately 5,232 faculty, staff, and students covers goals and projections, library facilities and space utilization, personnel requirements, administration changes, collection development, materials budgets, library services, adoption of online systems, and library organization…

This paper reports on a study conducted to determine if staffing changes were necessary at the information desk at the main branch of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library (Ohio). Questions addressed included: (1) What times are busiest in the library? (2) Should there be changes in staffing the reference desk that could lead to…