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The authors propose a bibliometric model for discarding journal volumes at academic libraries, i.e., removal to offsite storage as part of the library's serials collection. The method is based on the volume as the unit of measurement and on user satisfaction with given titles. The discarding age, calculated for each volume, from the year of publication to the year of decision to discard, is dependent on citation half-life, relative productivity, knowledge area, and residual utility (potential consultations). The model makes it possible to predict the approximate size of a collection when a stationary state is reached in which the inflow of journal volumes is equal to the outflow from discarding. The model is also able to determine the rate of growth of the holdings. This information can be used to optimize future use of available space and economic and maintenance resources; thus promoting efficient management of the collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents information about the Fifteenth Annual Conference of the Graduate Library School of the University of Chicago, which was organized in July 1950. The conference was based on the subject of bibliographic organization. The program consisted of the presentation of fourteen papers presented over a period of six days. The primary objective of the conference was not to present a survey of existing facilities but rather to bring together a wide variety of points of view concerning the problems of bibliographic organization, and thereby to try to bring about an understanding, if not a consensus of opinion regarding basic problems which must be solved before an effective organization of the world of recorded materials can be developed.