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This paper summarizes the cost‐benefit analysis (CBA) approach to estimating the dollar value of services offered by public libraries. The rationale behind a CBS approach is discussed and a methodology is proposed for a quicker, cheaper CBA applicable to mid‐size and smaller libraries.

APPROVAL of a plan for a new Birmingham Central Library was given by the City Council on July 26 1938. One world war and heaven knows how many financial stringencies later, on June 5 1970, the foundation stone of the building was laid. The new library stands adjacent to the present building and is part of the re‐development scheme for the centre of Birmingham.

IN THE March 1973 issue of NEW LIBRARY WORLD Dr H T Hookway commented that the new head of the British Library must be first and foremost an administrator and a manager, a man for whom the intricacies of book selection or ‘class and cat’ would hardly be of much use. Few would doubt the validity of this first statement, but surely a grounding in any of the traditional library disciplines could do no harm whatsoever and might indeed be a positive advantage.

Along with most public institutions, public libraries are under attack for being socially unresponsive and economically unworthy of public funds. Looks at how urban libraries can defend their case by considering three main points: selecting appropriate methodology; building a framework for benefit‐cost analysis; and assessing necessary research. Concludes that continued research is very important as library resources are always changing. Proposes a pilot project to estimate direct and external benefits from public investment in library resources in one sector of library operations.

This case examines the queueing issues caused by the growth in popularity of one of the most visited Hindu temples in the world. On January 2, 2015, Ramesh and Vasantha Gupta visit Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, just a day after some 210,000 people crowded the 2,000-year-old site. The case describes the many enhancements that the temple administrator, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), has implemented since its management of the temple complex began in 1932. The soaring popularity of the temple, however, has led to safety and comfort concerns for pilgrims. While challenging students to consider additional improvements that might benefit pilgrim throughput rate and time in the temple system, the case highlights the tension TTD must manage between maximizing efficiency and maintaining religious traditions. Additionally, the case demonstrates the importance of perceived waiting times in the management of queues.

The key environmental issue of the 1980s has been that of the depletion of the stratospheric ozone. The key environmental issue to be addressed in the 1990s will be that of global warming. These head the list of worldwide ecological problems that arise directly from the activities of man. Each industrial sector has an urgent responsibility to increase awareness of such problems within both management and production and to seek to alleviate its impact upon the environment through development of modified or alternative manufacturing technologies. The electronics assembly sector had the opportunity to consider its future in a more environmentally conscious world at the first conference on Electronics Manufacturing and the Environment. This two‐day event was held at the Bournemouth International Centre. It was organised by Vertical Marketing of Wimborne and sponsored by The Department of Trade and Industry, Du Pont, ICI and Multicore Solders, who must take credit for a well organised and splendidly presented conference. The theme of the conference was one particular implication of environmental awareness, namely the elimination of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) as a goal of the electronics manufacturing industry. The conference was aimed at addressing ways in which companies can eliminate the use of CFCs, taking into account the moral and financial implications involved as well as the stringent restrictions in CFC production that are about to be imposed.

The title of this report can be translated as ‘Let Singapore Flourish’. The Singapore Government is probably doing more than at least 90% of the other governments of the world, developed and developing nations combined, to ensure that the environment is respected, so that the little island‐state does indeed flourish. In a way, this is both ironical and necessary: both because there is comparatively little nature left on the island. What there is must be preserved, at all costs. Obviously, 26 million inhabitants concentrated mainly in Singapore City makes this an enormous field of reinforced concrete, albeit with some magnificent parks and other green spaces. Even some of these are oriented towards tourism and are more man‐made than natural. The island of Sentosa, a cable‐car or 10 minute ferry ride from the world's busiest harbour, is one of Singapore's playgrounds, but this is 85% touched by man's hands. Even the ‘Nature Walk’, purporting to be through primeval tropical rain forest, is a wide beaten track through mainly secondary jungle with a dearth of wild life. To the north of the city, there is some real rain forest—thankfully in a nature reserve—but the area is so small that one wonders whether it can be self‐sustaining in its natural state. To visit natural, uninhibited rain forest, a car ride across the causeway to the neighbouring state of Johore in Malaysia is probably necessary.

Aims to focus on the issue of value in libraries.

Draws from research conducted to set up a conservative transportable cost‐benefit analysis (CBA) methodology that could be applied to public libraries. The paper discusses the CBA‐survey participant comments draws out the value themes that interviewees talked about as they answered various questions.

There is a huge tendency in North America to talk about libraries as if they are secular churches and to impute spiritual values to them. This paper suggests that while library users may hold such feelings, that is not the first line of reasons for why they use their library.

Shows how library communications needs to be framed in the practical as well as the ethereal, the practical along with the ideal.