Though unshelved books are a problem in every library, little systematic effort has been made to design an optimal solution. Presented here is a mathematical model that attempts to approach such a solution. (2 references) (Author/DH)

Queueing theory is used to model processes as either waiting or balking processes. The optimal allocation of resources to these processes is defined as that which maximizes the expected value of the decision-maker's utility function. (Author)

Library governing boards are faced with many administrative questions affecting services offered. This paper describes the operational research approach to the problem of allocation of funds to different departments of a university for purchase of materials. A linear programing model is suggested for solving the allocation problem. (5 references)…

The problem of how much of a branch library's budget should be spent on acquisition of new material as opposed to holding capital in reserve to photoduplicate material at the main library upon demand is presented. (Author)

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 study investigated ways in which the costs of a library's direct and indirect services can be equitably allocated to its heterogeneous group of institution users. It was conducted from October 1, 1974 to March 31, 1977. The final report is divided into four parts, each describing a separate issue. Part I discusses the general administrative…

Part II of the study describes a model for associating one portion of total library costs with use; the model's output is a set of charges that can be used to recover (justify) these usage-based costs. Algebraic formulations constructed and combined to form the model are a set of service charges that may vary by user type and recover out-of-pocket…

Part III of the study describes a model for completing the cost assessment (justification) process by accounting for the fixed joint costs; a "fair" and equitable mechanism is developed in the context of game-theoretic approach. An n-person game is constructed in which the "players" are the institutions served by the library,…

Part IV is a summary analysis of sample and survey data collected to facilitate the structure of the cost assessment models and to find out which, if any, subgroups of HAM-TMC user population make more (or less) use of various library services. Sampling data were obtained from brief interviews and in-house files of various user institutions to…

Discussion of operational effectiveness in libraries focuses on a modeling approach that was used to compare the effectiveness of a local interlibrary loan system with using a national system, the British Library Document Supply Centre (BLDSC). Cost figures and surveys of five academic libraries are described. (six references) (LRW)

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…

Both an analysis of the sources of cost trends in libraries and the relationship of the prospective role of automation in library operations to the causes of cost trends and the predicted shortage of trained librarians are examined in the study of the economic structure of the library. Issues investigated are those particularly relating to current…