CARL - Highlights

Commentary on the 1998-1999 CARL Statistics:

Highlights

Dr. David Holmes
May 2000

Relative to 1994-95, overall library expenditures in 1998-99 fell at 14 out of 29 Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL). Averaged across the 29 CARL libraries, per library total expenditure budgets were $10.95 million. Total operating expenditures were the highest on average for the 3 CARL members from British Columbia (BC), followed in order by those from Ontario, the Prairies, Québec and the Maritimes. Average total library operating expenditures dropped in the Prairies and Québec while rising in Ontario, BC and the Maritimes. At the national level, expenditures dropped at the National Library while rising at Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information (CISTI). When inflation is factored in, real operating expenditures dropped across the board.
Total library expenditures per full-time equivalent (FTE) student ranged from $1008/FTE in BC to $643 in Québec with the overall CARL average standing at $845.
Library materials expenditures were on average highest in BC, followed by Ontario, the Prairies, Québec and the Maritimes. In dollar terms, average materials budgets in 1998-99 increased considerably over those of five years earlier. These expenditures more than kept up with inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). However, as measured against the Faxon Canada serials price index, all regions lost ground over five years by between 21.6% (BC) and 32.7% (Québec).
CARL universities spent on average $319/FTE student in 1998-99, up from $253/FTE in 1994-95. When adjusted for the decrease in purchasing power, this apparent increase was in reality a drop in purchasing power of 23.6%. Average materials expenditures per student were highest in BC and lowest in Québec. The highest materials expenditure per student was at the University of Toronto ($499/FTE) and the lowest at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) ($131/FTE).
In 1998-99 the proportion of operating expenditures spent on salaries ranged from 51.9% in BC to 58.9% in Québec. The percentage of budget spent on salaries dropped between 1994-95 and 1998-99. The average number of staff employed dropped in all regions over the five year period while, except in Québec, the number of casual staff increased.
Professional librarians’ salaries were highest in Ontario and lowest in Québec. The average annual professional salary across all CARL libraries was $60,830 in 1998-99.
The number of monographs purchased dropped relative to the year before in 15 out of 20 libraries reporting, while the number of current serial titles purchased (all formats) dropped in only 11 of the 21 libraries reporting. However, the number of serial titles being received in electronic format is rising rapidly, while the number being received in print or microform is dropping in 15 out of 19 libraries reporting. In total CARL libraries reported the purchase of over 37,000 serial subscriptions in electronic form.
Serial cancellations are continuing in all CARL libraries where data was reported. The annual value of titles cancelled ranged from $36,690 at the National Library of Canada (NLC) to $1,102,774 at Laval.
Inter-library lending and borrowing activity continues to increase across the system. The volume of photocopies received by CARL university libraries on behalf of their patrons has increased at a rapid rate over the past 3 years. This exceeded the supply of copies by CARL libraries in 1998-99. These copies are being supplied by a variety of sources including commercial suppliers.
Circulation activity, both regular and reserve transactions in CARL libraries, appears to show an underlying downward trend that is not explained by changes in enrolment. It appears that an increasing portion of demand is being met by electronic sources.
CARL libraries continue to make a significant investment in computer hardware and software. All but 2 CARL libraries operate commercial integrated library systems. All libraries offer web-based services from an increasing number of in-library workstations.
In 1998-99 the average number of staffed library service points was 17.8. The number of weekly public service hours offered by CARL university libraries was 90.5.

The CARL/ABRC1998-99 Statistics/Statistiques is available for $50 (plus shipping and handling) from:

Canadian Association of Research Libraries/
Association des bibliothèques de recherche du Canada

Room 139/ Pièce 139
Morisset Hall/ Pavillon Morisset
University of Ottawa/Université d`Ottawa
65 University Street/rue Université
Ottawa ON KIN 9A5

Tel: (613) 562-5800 x3652
Fax: (613) 562-5195

Email: carladm@uottawa.ca