From: Ann Okerson <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Mon, 20 Feb 2012 22:31:28 -0500

According to the ARL web site where these data appear,

"Data on University & Library Total Expenditures (formerly known as
the E&G Survey) are used to produce charts and tables showing what
fractions of total university spending have gone towards the research
library. The data series was first initiated when ARL published the
landmark 1992 study University Libraries and Scholarly Communication,
by Anthony M. Cummings, Marcia L. Witte, William G. Bowen, Laura O.
Lazarus, and Richard H. Ekman for the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation."

20 years have passed since the initial impetus (Cummings et al) for
collection of these data.  The timing is good for an in-depth analysis
of what the data are really telling us, as well as a
(re?)consideration of how to present this information in future.  Such
an examination would be most helpful.    Ann Okerson


> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Philip Davis <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:19:26 -0500
>
> Libraries Receiving a Shrinking Piece of the University Pie
>
> Over the past three decades, the research library has been receiving a
> smaller proportion of the university budget. Does this trend reflect
> the failure of library administrators and the declining relevance of
> libraries? Or does it tell the story of self-control and growing
> efficiency against a backdrop of spiraling higher education costs?
>
> http://wp.me/pcvbl-6ir