Although government has increased its use of expenditure- forecasting mechanisms and has encouraged local authorities to adopt management processes that demand the development of such mechanisms, central government intervention has made consideration of the future resource environment of a local authority increasingly difficult. (Author/IRT)

Discusses the role of school libraries in literacy and independent reading habits for adolescents. Highlights include the sad state of school libraries in Indiana, how much to spend on books for middle grades school libraries, the time frame for rebuilding school library collections, and the Reading Bill of Rights. Sample inventory procedures and…

Investigates effects of public versus private finance and management of education on school cost and efficiency, using school-level data on revenues, expenditures, enrollments, examination scores, and student characteristics from Indonesian primary schools. In poorly funded schools, more money tends to bring better school quality. Private funding…

Salary data for 1993-94 and salary and fringe benefits data from 1994-95 are reported for the presidents and highest-level administrators at 479 private colleges and universities. Institutions are listed alphabetically by type (research universities, doctoral universities, comprehensive colleges and universities, liberal arts colleges). The…

Includes three articles that debate whether interlibrary loan (ILL) is the best way to get public library patrons what they need. Highlights include return on investment; funding; alternatives to ILL, including purchase on demand and online full-text databases; cost effectiveness; and the advantages of patron-initiated ILL through interconnected…

Discusses library cooperation and academic library consortia and presents a case study of a Canadian consortia that conducted a cost-benefit analysis for purchasing an electronic resource. Reports on member library subscription costs, external economic factors, value of patron time saved, costs and benefits for patrons, and net savings. (LRW)

Analyzes 1990-91 school finance data for six New England states. Examines state support for local education, distribution of state aid in relation to local wealth differences, these policies' effect on funding equity for local taxpayers, and the relationship between taxpayer equity and per-pupil spending disparities. Only Maine and Vermont have…

This article discusses how the concept of efficiency in special education services is translated into specific practices. A paradigm is presented that quantifies a measure of student need, ties school allocations to student needs, tracks actual expenditures on special education, and links those expenditures to quantifiable measures of student…

Identifies problems in China's educational system: lack of funding, low teacher salaries, and low standards. Suggests looking at education as an industry, analyzing its efficiency and productivity. Stresses the need to build from solid foundations focusing on improving the quality of basic education. (CH)

Summarizes issues discussed at an institute held at Cornell University on the impact of electronic publishing on library collection development. Topics discussed include libraries of the future; the National Research and Education Network (NREN); a definition of an electronic library; scholarly communication; implications of national networks; and…

Reviews experiences with online searching at the Nazareth College library. Topics discussed include user expectations; actual and perceived search quality; the impact of laser printers; growth in online searching; increases in other reference services; the use of CD-ROM technology; and costs and pricing policies. (LRW)

Examines how price increases and substantial growth in the number of scholarly journals are logical outcomes of the scholarly communication system. It is argued that scholars, publishers, and university officials have an interest in continuing this system, and academic libraries are expected to provide a ready market even though they are not…

Examines the factors that are forcing changes in the scholarly journal, including static library budgets, rapidly increasing prices, and escalating article production. The need for authors, librarians, publishers, and university administrators to address the underlying problems of the scientific information chain is discussed. (23 references)…

Analysis of costs of the University of the Air (Japan), a distance education institution, looks at expenditure per student, indirect costs, opportunity costs, cost per graduate, and cost per credit. Focus is on the university's economic advantage. It is suggested that additional economies will be realized with satellite broadcasting. (MSE)

An approach to evaluating debt capacity for capital spending, designed for a midsize independent institution of higher education with a solid enrollment base, is outlined. Factors in determining and assessing debt capacity ratios are discussed. It is suggested that the analysis be projected over a three-year period to provide a consistent basis…