The introduction to this Systems and Procedures Exchange Center (SPEC) kit explains the Conspectus method, which was developed in 1980 by the Research Libraries Group (RLG) as a means of systematically and qualitatively evaluating large library collections. The discussion considers advantages and disadvantages of this tool, which evaluates past collection efforts, revealing the way in which the collections reflect those efforts, and determining the current and projected collecting intensity. Organization and staffing concerns are also discussed, as well as issues and trends in applications of the methodology. The North American Collections Inventory Project (NCIP)--an expansion of the Conspectus method--is described, and a copy of the NCIP questionnaire is provided. The major part of this publication is made up of documents that were submitted by Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member libraries in conjunction with the NCIP survey. This collection includes four documents that outline plans and procedures for implementing the Conspectus methodology, six that set forth criteria for assessing a collection, six that discuss various uses for the Conspectus, and four Conspectus project reports. Institutions submitting these documents are Emory University, Harvard University, Indiana University, Library Information Resources for the Northwest (LIRN), METRO, University of Alberta, University of British Columbia, University of California-Los Angeles, University of Missouri-Columbia, University of Oklahoma, University of Toronto, University of Virginia, Washington University, and Yale University. A nine-item reading list is also provided. (SD)