A quantitative comparison of acquisitions budget allocation formulas using a single institutional setting

Each of the many materials budget allocation formulas developed and implemented by academic libraries is unique in terms of the variables which are included as well as the relative weighting applied to each variable. This study quantitatively compares how the differences in the composition of seven such formulas affect allocations of monograph and serials budgets by applying the formulas to a single test case, a small undergraduate library. Comparisons are made of the major discipline groups (Humanities, Social Sciences, and Science and Technology) as well as at the departmental level (sciences). Despite considerable differences in the construction of these formulas, fairly consistent outcomes are predicted. Coefficients of variation for the means of the seven formula allocations for major discipline groups range from 5.0% to 10.8%. Formulas that include a “library usage” variable do not yield allocations significantly different from those that exclude this variable. The means of formula allocations calculated for four science subjects agree with allocations derived from recent survey data for library spending in these areas to within one standard deviation. It is concluded that there is a considerable degree of similarity in the way allocation formulas function in practice.     

关于高校图书馆业务统计工作的思考

认为高校图书馆应从完善读者统计指标体系、建立健全电子文献统计指标体系、健全经费使用流向统计指标体系入手,构造统一规 范的业务统计指标体系。同时,高校图书馆还应根据馆藏规划、经费分配、人力资源配置和部门设置等决策需要,强化统计分析,以促进图书 馆业务统计与科学管理的有机结合。     

Library materials budget justifications

No matter how the current crisis in materials costs is resolved, libraries will continue to need ways of making effective arguments for budget increases. This article presents the issues to be considered in formulating a library budget request and the most effective manner of presenting the information.     

Changes in the academic environment: Threat or opportunity?

Economic and technological changes converge on the connection between publishers and libraries. Arguing that the current library budget crisis is clearly different from previous crises, Paula Kaufman describes changes in university environments and in libraries’ strategies for coping with higher prices and strained budgets. Shifts in spending patterns from books to serials, gaining access to materials by means other than purchasing them, overpublishing, technological transformations, and the entry of new players into the scholarly publishing arena will all affect the ways that publishers publish and libraries acquire. Paula T. Kaufman is dean of libraries at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a member of the board of the Society of Scholarly Publishing.     

Building a History Collection and Keeping It Lean

A light-hearted discussion on the uncontrollable growth of history collections in libraries, and some possible ways to control that growth. Topics covered include: weeding, gifts, budget allocations, historians and the packrat mentality, and runaway spending. Solutions suggested include book supports for historians, establishing a trade balance in history books, and the allocation of shelves.     

The Well-Furnished Business Law Library

Most business law faculty agree that their students should be exposed to outside reading in order to broaden their understanding of course materials, better relate the law to practical business situations, and become aware of future trends in the legal environment. For these reasons, many business law teachers send their students to the library to research and write reports using various source materials, including cases outside the textbook, historical background material on the various areas of the law and current journals and newspaper articles. For those teaching at large universities with well-stocked libraries, the choices of research sources are many and varied. However, for those teaching at small universities or community colleges, the choices may be quite limited indeed. Often, at the smaller schools, business law teachers may be given a very limited budget and allowed to order only a few books a year. The question arises, then, for the business law teachers at smaller schools: "What are the most important research sources to have in their libraries?" If a priority list could be drawn up, those business law faculties would be able to use the little library money they do have in a more beneficial way. This article will discuss the library materials which business law teachers feel are necessary as resource tools, and the order of priority in which they should be acquired. The information supporting this article will be acquired by a survey of randomly selected teachers of business law in AACSB-accredited schools.     

The Well-Furnished Business Law Library

"Publish or Perish!" While this time-worn phrase rings equally loud and clear for most business law faculty, the opportunity to successfully publish is many times limited for some faculty members by their lack of access to adequate research material. For those teaching at large universities with well-stocked libraries, the choices of research sources are many and varied. However, for those teaching at small universities or community colleges, the choices may be quite limited indeed. Additionally, the smaller schools may be located at too great a distance from law schools or large universities to make travel to and from those libraries a practical solution. Often, at the smaller schools, business law teachers may be given a very limited budget and allowed to order only a few books a year. The question arises, then, for the business law faculty at smaller schools: "What are the most important research sources to have in the university or college libraries?" If a priority list could be drawn up, those business law faculties at smaller schools would be able to use the little library money they do have in a more beneficial way. This article will analyze which library materials business law teachers have selected as necessary resource tools, and the priority in which they should be acquired. The information supporting this article will be acquired by a survey of randomly selected teachers of business law in AACSB-accredited schools.     

高校图书馆文献经费预算和配置现状及优化述略

高校图书馆文献资源建设经费是高校图书馆发展的基础,其预算和配置的方法及模式直接影响到图书馆的良性发展。随着文献价格涨幅增大、出版形式多样化、信息需求的多元化趋势,高校图书馆面临着优化文献经费预算管理和分配机制的重要课题。文章在调查分析国内高校图书馆文献经费分配现状的基础上,提出文献经费预算及分配的优化方略。     

Contrasting Usage of Web-Based Library Services among Postgraduate Students by Type of University within Malaysia

This article aims to describe the differences between research-focused and teaching-focused (non-research) universities in terms of usage of web-based library services, as discovered by way of questionnaires and statistical analyses. It was found that the type of university within the country of Malaysia correlates to significant differences in usage of e-journals and Web-based library services in general. Factors such as library budget allocations, research productivity, and extrinsic motivations for using Web-based library services are surmised to have influenced the usage. The results also suggest that library programs at both types of universities are ineffective in creating awareness of the services. This article discusses several aspects of usage in both types of university and makes several suggestions to remedy identified problems.     

Proclaiming Library Worth in a Program Prioritization Process at a Mid-Sized Public University

Abstract

In an economic climate when colleges can no longer presume that legislators see institutions of higher learning as tacit public goods, institutions around the country are facing budget cuts. This article presents a case study of the experience of a mid-sized public state university and its Library in a budget crisis undergoing a university-wide program prioritization process. The authors review the process of writing three reports on the Library’s value, along with the approach to engaging staff in the process including a retreat. This article raises questions about what every library should consider assessing and provide tools for libraries navigating similar terrain.     

Data-Driven Decisions for Library Liaisons: Exploring Strategies for Effectively Managing Diminishing Monograph Collections

Many academic libraries have liaison programs as a means of building relevant and useful library collections and to promote library resources to campus users. Librarians have long served as liaisons without the benefit of much data to guide decisions. In this age of library budget cuts, librarians need to make every dollar count. What collection and use data help liaisons build a quality monograph collection that better meets the needs of library users? This article offers some ideas for providing the data needed by liaisons for more informed decision making and collection management and, ultimately, for ensuring that library materials purchased are needed and used.     

Acquisition in times of financial stringency: The case study of UST Library, Kumasi, Ghana

This papers describes the economic difficulties in Ghana from 1973 to the early 1980's, culminating in a situation where libraries in Ghana, including the UST Library, were unable to acquire library materials. Books in the main library and faculty libraries became so outdated that they were unable to support current academic work. The Library was not able to subscribe to core periodicals and journals.In 1987, the PNDC government, with the help of the World Bank, instituted a policy to replace scientific equipment and to supply books and journals to higher education institutions. Under the Educational Sector Adjustment Programme (EDSAC), academic libraries in the country received books, journals, and equipment including photocopiers, microfilm/microfiche readers and cameras, and telex machines.In 1991, the PNDC Deputy Secretary for Education invited the three university libraries to review the procedures for procuring journals for tertiary institutions in view of difficulties which had been encountered in previous years.Besides materials received under the EDSAC programme, the UST library receives gifts and donations from recognized international agencies. Some of the gifts create problems when materials donated do not cover subject areas of interest to the library. The library also exchanges publications with other institutions as a means of acquiring useful items. The university's calendar and prospectus are the main publications used for the purpose. The Newspaper Registration of Ghana Act, 1963, urges publishers to deposit copies of books published in the country at the UST Library among five others. The majority of publishers flagrantly refuse to do so because the sanctions against defaulters are rarely enforced. The library also receives budgetary allocations, though not enough to purchase books locally.     

大学图书馆情景规划模型构建与实现——以香港理工大学图书馆为例

[目的/意义] 针对当前我国图书馆面临的不确定性复杂环境, 引入情景规划理论, 建立嵌入情景的大学图书馆战略规划实施模型, 旨在丰富图书馆战略规划理论, 并在实践层面上为我国大学图书馆及其他类型图书馆战略规划提供借鉴。[方法/过程] 运用系统研究方法, 融合战略规划与情景规划理论, 突出情景规划的系统学习、应急性与反馈性等特性, 构建大学图书馆情景规划模型, 以香港理工大学图书馆为例阐释说明其实现过程与实施效果。[结果/结论] 结果显示, 作为面向复杂多变的不确定性环境的战略规划方法, 大学图书馆情景规划有助于形成面向未来导向与公共导向的未来情景, 培养与形成图书馆共享心智模式, 在成本预算、建筑修复、员工技能等方面, 为图书馆制定面向未来的战略规划研究与实践提供有益参考。     

Curating and Accessing Off-Site Special Collections: Area Studies Materials and High-Density Storage

The ongoing growth of academic, public, and special libraries collections around the world, combined with limited physical space and budget constraints, has prompted university administrators and librarians to create and implement plans for storage facilities, often high-density in nature and off-site (not housed in the same building or location as other library materials). This article provides an analysis of area studies materials at the Oak Street Library Facility and the implications for long-term access to and care of vernacular language materials at academic libraries.     

论图书馆权利

图书馆权利是图书馆历史发展的必然要求，其基本内涵包括图书馆权利和读者权利两个方面．图书馆有收集和提供信息资料的自由，并保证读者享有自由、公平、公正利用图书馆获取文献信息资料的权利和自由。图书馆的自由与平等原则要求图书馆在服务过程中坚持以人为本，实施无等级差别服务、无身份界限服务和无歧视服务。公益性文化事业单位的性质和经费短缺之间的现实矛盾，决定短期内图书馆在运行过程中还不能完全实现免费利用，这一问题，应通过政府加大投入来逐步解决。本文对图书馆权利从历史和现实、理论和实践、中国和外国的对比中作了深入的分析.     

大学图书馆游戏的调查与思考

游戏可以发展成图书馆吸引用户,提升用户利用图书馆资源技能的有利工具。简要介绍国内外各大学图书馆设计开发的在线游戏,分析它们的差异与优劣,希望将来的游戏制作者能将信息获取的知识、技能与游戏融合,不断创新,设计出读者乐于接受、从中受益的游戏。     

Library Book Theft and Audits in University Libraries of Pakistan

Librarians are the custodians of library materials. University libraries have a large number of materials in their collections; these collections have different challenges to maintain their existence and utilization. Security and protection of these resources is a difficult task. Book theft or loss is a phenomenon naturally associated with libraries and librarians. This article is an attempt to provide an overview of existing conditions of theft and loss of library material and to describe a major initiative that has been taken to overcome the situation. This study was designed with survey methodology and circulated to library professionals at 172 university and degree awarding institutions. There were 94 responses (54.65%) received. The study revealed that librarians faced objections from auditors and sometimes paid a penalty for stolen or lost books. The theft and loss of materials are examined critically by university management, library committees, and internal and external auditors. Some library professionals are required to pay from their own pockets for stolen and lost material. However, a few librarians write off library books as per Pakistan's Higher Education Commission (HEC) rule. Research highlighted that most libraries have not used technology such as RFID, 3M, or EM Tags for the security of books. An effective technological book security system minimizes loss and provides relief for librarians from audit issues and financial penalties.     

Lithuanian Library History

This article deals with the most important features of Lithuanian library history and describes specific features of the Soviet period. It also describes the current situation of librarianship in independent Lithuania. Historical analysis shows that Lithuanian libraries status, level and rate of development are influenced by particular historical conditions, social, and economical demands of the society.During the first stages of their history, Lithuanian libraries were a valuable part of the whole European library history. Their activities subsided when Lithuania lost its independence. This eliminated libraries from the national historical process. After Lithuania regained its independence, it became possible for libraries to recover. Unfortunately this process had subsided during the Soviet years. Society depreciated library activities and librarians work. Nevertheless, librarianship of this period has some achievements also. There is a rather good system of library education, several library networks and scientific research in library and information science.The last period is very hard and difficult for Lithuanian librarianship. During the years of economic crisis, libraries must struggle for their existence. So we can speak only about the possibility to ensure minimal conditions of existence, about the possibility to survive. The technical basis of libraries is especially weak: few of them use computerized technologies. This new period of the Lithuanian library development raised new problems and sharpened the old ones. The Lithuanian state has to change the library system and its functions, and rearrange library activities. The current situation in Lithuania creates new premises for libraries to develop. The most important premise of these changes is restoration of Lithuanian independence. A lot of work is already done to deideologize library activities, and to consolidate in them the principles of democracy. This work must guarantee the right of all Lithuanian citizens to use information stored in libraries. Now Lithuanian libraries strive to restore and establish new international relations, and to integrate themselves into the world's information system.     

PBA: Percentage Based Allocation for acquisitions: A simplified method for the allocation of the library materials budget

A simplified approach to the allocation of the library materials budget is proposed that is based on the formula allocations to universities by their fiscal governing bodies. Theoretically, this approach reflects most of the elements of previously proposed formulas, although in an indirect way. The validity of this method is discussed in the context of certain assumptions, along with its advantages and disadvantages. This method would be most applicable where audiovisual materials and books are combined in one budget, such as in a community college or learning resource center.     

Exploring the Application of Information and Communication Technologies in the Acquisition of Information Resources in Three Academic Libraries in North-West Nigeria: Preliminary Findings

Abstract

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) incursion has brought a lot of changes to libraries activities. ICTs are used to manage libraries more efficiently and in meeting customers’ demands more appropriately at the right time. Despite the contribution of ICTs to library and information work, many libraries are yet to adopt these technologies especially in the acquisitions of library materials. This study was carried out in three selected university libraries in North West Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to: determine the influence of performance expectancy on academic librarians’ intention to use ICT for acquisition; establish the influence of effort expectancy on academic librarians’ intention to use ICT for acquisition; find out the extent of social influence and facilitating conditions on academic librarians’ intention to use ICT for acquisition and lastly to proffer recommendations. This study adopted a positivistic approach and used a questionnaire administered to 224 librarians to collect data in the three selected libraries. The study is guided by the Unified Theory Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) developed by Venkatesh. Findings from the study reveals that academic librarians are supportive on the use of ICT in their work; ICTs are significantly important, trainings were organized mainly for librarians on general use of ICT not only on acquisition, but also on the general issues related to library activities; librarians also have the knowledge necessary to use ICT for acquisition in their libraries. The study recommends among others that the parent universities should increase the funding of their libraries with adequate supervision, so that such funds are well utilized for ICTs application; university libraries should continually sponsor their academic staff on modern computerized ways of using ICTs to source for materials and the acquisition of information resources in academic libraries should be given all the seriousness it deserves by enacting legislation to allocate a reasonable percentage of the university’s budget to it.