ARL academic science and technology libraries: Report of a survey

Abstract

The ARL includes among its United States and Canadian member libraries many of North America's largest research collections in science and technology. These libraries often serve as models or benchmarks for other institutions with respect to collection development and management, and the provision of information services. Science and technology librarians have used survey techniques to gather data on ARL science and technology collections for nearly ten years. This report provides findings from a survey of ARL academic science and technology libraries conducted during 1993 and 1994, and updates three earlier surveys. Seventy-five ARL academic libraries returned questionnaires for a response rate of 69 percent. This article describes survey findings on organizational structures, collections, expenditures, and services. Some comparisons are made to earlier surveys.