This study compares the overall spending trends and patterns of growth of Academic Libraries with Public Libraries, K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and hospitals in the period of 1998 to 2008. Academic Libraries, while showing a growth of 13% over inflation for the period, far underperformed the growth of the other public institutions…

This article reviews the key features of zero base budgeting as a budgeting/planning system, discusses the applications of ZBB reported in the literature, and summarizes its special benefits and problems for libraries. Fifteen references are included. (Author/RAA)

Provides a practical example of how to demonstrate the library as a cost-saving center, through evidence of financial savings on books and periodicals, facilitating a way to communicate that the net cost of the library is small. (Author/JKP)

Practical advice is offered on managing libraries during a time of declining resources. Librarians are urged to set aside the extravagant and empty rhetoric of the 60s and 70s and take a more realistic view of collections and services for users during the austere 80s. (Author/RAA)

Libraries have always had to determine how to allocate resources for the purpose of purchasing materials. As budgets shrink and as information becomes more open, objective methods of allocating funds become more attractive. This Clip Note examines the use of formulas in the smaller institution academic environment. It identifies elements used in…

The rationale for using Activity-Based Costing (ABC) in a library is to allocate indirect costs to products and services based on the factors that most influence them. This paper discusses the benefits of ABC to library managers and explains the steps involved in implementing ABC in the user services area of an Australian academic library.…

Addressed in this speech are aspects of law library budgets--how to determine need, how to obtain funding, and how to best utilize funds made available. The qualities and duties of a good law librarian are also examined. (LBH)

Presents a study of utilization of student employees at Bowling Green State University Library and the development of an allocation formula to provide proportional funding to tasks prioritized by relative operational importance. The study further produced an objective basis for reallocating resources from less essential to more essential tasks.…

Suggests strategies to help middle managers in libraries cope with difficult financial times. Highlights include resource allocations; the importance of change to prevent a decline in quality and to demonstrate some degree of control; the need to control both financial and staff resources; and providing vision for the future. (LRW)

Based on responses to a survey from 79 Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member libraries, this Systems and Procedures Exchange Center (SPEC) kit explores how these libraries are currently addressing management issues associated with materials budgets. The survey addressed the following broad areas: how libraries define their materials…

The steps involved in tailoring a periodical and monograph price index to a university library are examined, as are the difficulties involved in applying a simple methodology such as a price index when the data base has not been organized to play an active role in the decision-making process. The following topics are addressed: the shifting of…

Provides a detailed guide to preparing library budgets and describes several types of budgets. Steps to preparing a final document are outlined, including identifying objectives, assessing and prioritizing needs, data collection and analysis, presentation to the funding agency, and evaluation and monitoring of the final budget. (CLB)

This guide discusses how collections budgets are planned, built, defended, and implemented. Each topic is illustrated with sample budgets and allocations typical of academic and public libraries serving their respective communities. Step-by-step guidance is offered to administrators and boards for meeting patrons' needs while addressing today's…

A study commissioned by the Milwaukee Federated Library System identified problems and proposed organizational strategies towards their solution. A manifest problem with research and reference service cost allocations led to Milwaukee County's withholding of funds, while latent problems were identified in the interlibrary book circulation system.…

The financial environment within library and information services is reviewed and a structure for financial management is presented based on funding source and level of commercial activity. Objectives for financial management of library and information services is developed and reviewed in light of future trends and stakeholder perspectives.…