The Formula Approach to Library Size: An Empirical Study of Its Efficacy in Evaluating Research Libraries

Abstract

Formula approaches to the determination of adequate library size, es- pecially along lines developed by Clapp and I or dan have in recent years become a significant element of the librarians' arsenal. Never- the less, as has all too often been pointed out by those responsible for budgets and funding, the empirical basis of the Clapp-]ordan formula is rather vague. In this paper the possibilities of using statistical re- gression analysis to provide such an empirical analysis are reviewed. The results indicate that it is indeed difficult to provide such an em- pirical foundation but it can be shown that there is not likely any up- ward bias to the Clapp-Jordan formula. THE