News Release
Statistics Show Increasing Service Demands at Canada's Research Libraries
1998-99
The 1998-99 Statistics/Statistiques released by the Canadian Association of Research Libraries/Association des bibliothèques de recherche du Canada (CARL/ABRC) show increasing demands for electronic resources but a five-year decline in the purchasing power of Canada's research libraries.
Included for the first time is a Commentary on the 1998-99 CARL Statistics: an Introduction and Retrospective Overview. more...
1999-2000 salary data for member institutions are also included in the annual Statistics Commenting on the report, CARL President Frances Groen stated:"research and innovation are a national priority for Canada. It is the country's libraries that provide the researcher with the essential infrastructure to build, publish and disseminate research. Only with adequate library funding will Canada's researchers be able to play their part in the global setting."
1998-99 Highlights:
- The four university members that spent most on materials per student were Toronto, Queen's, Simon Fraser and the University of British Columbia.
- Over 37,000 serial titles in electronic form were purchased by CARL libraries
- All CARL university members reported consortium arrangements for group purchasing. Many reported additional shared initiatives
- In real terms the average amount spent on materials per student dropped 23.6% from 1994 to 1998 for all member libraries. Serials cancellations continued in all libraries reporting. The annual value of serials cancelled ranged from $36,000 (National Library of Canada) to $1,102,774 at Université Laval. All libraries have been obliged to cancel serial subscriptions and the cumulative effect has been a significant decline in holdings.
The Canadian Association of Research Libraries/Association des bibliothèques de recherche du Canada (CARL/ABRC) was established in 1976. Its members are Canada's 27 major academic research libraries, CISTI (Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information) and the National Library of Canada. CARL provides leadership to the Canadian research library community through initiatives to enhance scholarly communication and assisting members to provide full support for postgraduate research.
For further information please contact:
Mr. Richard H. Ellis, Chair, CARL/ABRC Standing Committee on Effectiveness Measures and Statistics (Tel: (709) 737-7428)
Mrs. Frances Groen, President CARL/ABRC (Tel. (514) 398-4677)
Mr. Tim Mark, Executive Director CARL/ABRC (Tel. (613) 562-5800x3652)
The CARL/ABRC1998-99 Statistics/Statistiques are available for purchase 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
