This paper focuses on four areas, all of which affect a library’s bottom line in one way or another: fitting library materials expenditure into the parent organisation’s budget cycle, including suggestions for taking advantage of any unspent institutional allocation at the end of the...

Since digital content can be perfectly replicated and distributed infinitely, publishers and other content originators are employing DRM and persistent protection to prevent the abuse of their intellectual property. However, locking the content and controlling operations on the content have...

In this beginner’s guide, the authors review considerations for format selection decisions. There is no one‐size‐fits‐all solution when it comes to how libraries make format choices. Ultimately, these decisions will vary depending on a library’s specific needs as outlined by its...

The public library of Des Moines has addressed problems of a neglected materials collection and inadequate materials budget through a new and innovative collection plan based on quantifiable local standards. The library measures median collection age, and shelf availability of recently...

The migration to electronic information strains tight budgets for public and academic libraries. The unfunded mandate by the United States federal government to provide free access to electronic information requires patience, creativity and a new way of thinking about information delivery in the...

Today, libraries within all institutions of higher education are viewing serials collection development in a new light. This paper looks at the issues revolving around these new dynamics, including distance education, electronic serials and how librarians should proceed in the near future. Much...