University of Virginia Library

Library Growth Advances Sluggishly

By Neill Alford III
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

Ed.

Despite the rapid growth of the
University around it, Alderman Library is
tardily expanding its facilities as a major
university library.

According to statistics of the
Association of Research Libraries,
Alderman Library dropped from 26th
rank in 1969 to 28th rank last year
among 76 university libraries in the
United States in terms of total number of
volumes.

In addition, the library ranks a
discouraging 40th in terms of volumes
added during the past year, 48th in total
operating expenses, and 50th in expenses for
books.

But the growth of Alderman Library must
be measured in much more diverse terms than
simply an amount of money designated for the
purchase of books. Approximately 24
departments carry out the jobs of acquisition,
cataloging, circulation, photographic services,
and other specialized functions.

Thus, there is much more than book
purchasing involved in the expansion of the
library's collection of 1,618,000 volumes,
which includes 7 million manuscripts and
350,000 microforms.

"We should grow by about five per cent per
year," asserts Ray W. Frantz, Jr., University
Librarian. "Last year we asked for a $1.4
million book budget. We also need more money
for staff personnel to service the books."

Mr. Frantz estimates that most university
libraries spend about one third of their budget
on books and supplies. Alderman Library,

however, spends 40 per cent on books and even
then falls far short of the growth standard for a
large library. Last year the library acquired
91,002 volumes, or 86.8 per cent of the
national average increase.

Acknowledging the recent addition of
$325,000 to the proposed budget for next year,
Mr. Frantz says this will enable the library to
"begin to meet the average" growth rate.

Library statistics indicate that, of the
average $17.76 cost for a book, $10.34
represents the original cost, $2.87 goes toward
its acquisition, its cataloging requires $4.03,
and supplies such as typewriters, paper, and
marking equipment cost $.52.

Other divisions such as the Reference
Library, the Rare Book Division and the
Manuscripts Division take care of particular
materials for special purposes. The Circulation
Division supervises the withdrawal of materials
and the Stacks Division maintains the books
while the lie and the shelves.

As its collection grows, therefore, the library
requires more than shelf space to continue to
provide service to its users, who check out
325,000 volumes per year and take advantage
of the photographic services, the outstanding
manuscripts collections and the periodicals.

But new space is difficult to acquire. The
new stacks addition, which was completed in
1967, was 20 years behind its planning time,
according to Mr. Frantz. The Fine Arts Library
is the first new library building in many years.
Seating space and study carrels are severely
limited.

According to Kenneth G. Peterson,
Associate Librarian, "the present buildings are
for all practical purposes filled." The space for
references, periodicals, rare books and
manuscripts are at capacity. Materials are being
stored in dormitory attics and the attic of
Cabell Hall.

Even those materials which ought to be
immediately available often are not, due to a
constant loss of books which are either taken
out but not checked out, or are simply never
returned.

Mr. Frantz declares that the door check;
however, has decreased unauthorized
withdrawals to some extent and that the
University atmosphere is contrary to such
behavior.

Despite the grim expansion statistics of
recent years, library officials have plans for
future growth if funds are made available.
Current planning calls for an undergraduate
library in Clark Hall after the law school moves
to its new facilities. In addition, the planners
foresee a Science and Technology Center and
an extension of the present main building to
accommodate more stack space and more
auxiliary facilities.

But accomplishing such plans requires
money. Not the gradual rise of funds which
maintains a steady growth rate, but a concerted
effort to benefit an excellent collection with
more than its present substandard facilities.