Systematic bookstock management in public libraries

Abstract

Systematic bookstock management techniques were first developed in Tottenham by A W McClellan during the period 1950-65. There has been a re-emergence of interest in the topic and this report surveys some of the recent developments. Techniques have been devised to analyse bookstock, to guide the allocation of bookfunds, to calculate optimum bookstock levels and to handle the overall monitoring and control of the bookstock. The systems need to be looked at as part of a wider movement towards a user-centred public library service. This article is the report of a study commissioned by the British Library Research & Development Department. The views expressed are Nick Moore's and not necessarily those of the British Library.