Materials Budget Allocation Methods at San Diego County Library

Abstract

ABSTRACT Methods used to allocate the materials budget at San Diego County Library, California, are discussed. The San Diego County Library is a large and diverse conglomeration of small-town, rural, and suburban libraries with below-average funding. With a per capita materials budget of only 93 cents, the method of allocating the book budget is something that is closely watched by library Friends groups, city governments, and community organizations. The staff first takes into account the portion of the entire library budget devoted to materials, and core service levels and reference needs at individual branches. The components of the materials budget are “base” budgets, service-measurement allocations, and centralized expenditures, all of which are examined and adjusted each year. The library attempts to balance these factors with the public and staff perception of what is “fair,” together with a method of allocation that will satisfy the service goals of the organization.