THE BRITISH LIBRARY LENDING DIVISION IN 1980–81 Available to Purchase

The year saw for the first time a reduction in demand (by 2.1%) — a small reduction (1.2%) in the case of British demand, larger (6.3%) for foreign demand. 2,856,000 requests in all were received, 510,000 of them from abroad. Further consideration was given to the future of the Union Catalogue of Books both within the Division and through a British Library Working Party on Union Catalogues. An experimental scheme of lending books in oriental languages as a last resort from the Reference Division began. SRL titles were gradually added to the computer‐produced Keyword Index of Serial Titles, and British Reports, Translations and Theses, produced by word processor, superseded the Announcements Bulletin. The Conference Proceedings Index became available on‐line. Intake included 56,000 current serials (an increase of 3.7%), 105,000 monographs, and 200,000 reports including some British local government documents. Conservation became a matter of increasing concern. The extension to the Urquhart Building was completed, and a major move of stock took place. Surveys included an analysis of serial use resulting in up‐to‐date rank lists. Discussions took place with publishers on possible co‐operation in electronic storage and transmission of journal articles. The ad hoc article translating service was discontinued.