University of Virginia Library

Alderman Library Declines
In National ARL Ranking

Statistics released by the Association
of Research Libraries indicate a general
decline in the stats of Alderman Library
in comparison to the other libraries
covered in the association's report.

The most significant declines have
occurred in the most important areas of
library growth, according to Professor Lester A.
Beaurline of the English department, who is
chairman of the Library committee.

The 1968-69 annual report of the
association shows Alderman Library to have
been ranked 26th out of 76 university research
libraries in the United States and Canada in
total number of volumes, but the current report
shows the library's ranking in this area to have
dropped to 28th, and Mr. Beaurline forecasts a
further decline this year to 29th or 30th.

The statistics also indicate a significant
decline in total expenditures for books. In this
category, the library plunged from a ranking of
42nd in last year's report to 50th in the current
listing.

Although the figures show an increase in the
library's ranking in number of volumes added,
from 45th to 40th, Mr. Beaurline attributes this
to recent streamlining of operations in the
Cataloguing Department rather than to a
long-term trend. He recognizes the tremendous
boost that is given to the library through the
contributions of C. Waller Barrett, as well as the
Seven Society, which recently contributed
$1,777 and other benefactors, but he states
that an actual increase in funds allocated by the
University is severely needed.

He points out that such schools as Iowa,
Rutgers, and North Carolina have larger
collections than the one here, whereas this
University ranks considerably higher than those
schools as an educational institution.

Expressing his belief in the administration's
continuing support of improvements for
Alderman Library, Mr. Beaurline nevertheless
sees a severe need for an increase in the number
of volumes available for student use. He cites a
Budget Committee estimate of $1.3 million
required to bring up to the needed level the
resources of 11 departments which submitted
estimates.