Downsizing in libraries: experiences and expectations Available to Purchase

A 1995 survey of 119 academic and public library directors in North Carolina, USA, examined the degree to which their libraries had experienced downsizing and the expectations of these librarians regarding downsizing. While 27 per cent of the respondents had downsized in the past two to three years, only 7 per cent expected to do so in the near future. Likewise, fewer respondents expected to reduce personnel as a response to downsizing than had done so when downsizing did take place and, by contrast, more respondents expected to reduce or eliminate specific services than had actually done so when downsizing did take place. The survey also found that few libraries were prepared for downsizing; only 28 per cent of the respondents reported feeling at least well prepared, and only 2 per cent of the respondents felt very well prepared.