Measures of 'availability' are advocated as performance indicators for libraries within higher education and for purposes of interlibrary comparison. Previous work on such measures is discussed. The method adopted by Liverpool Polytechnic Library Service in studying the availability of stock is described. Results are given and discussed. A high level of availability was discovered. Figures produced provide a convenient way to summarize a great many data concerning a library's success at acquisition, failure through items being in circulation or in library processing, and the relative success of users in searching for known items.
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