The Practice of Operations Research in Libraries

Abstract

The application of operations research methods to library-type problems has a long history which predates the formation of the Operations Research Society. Its practice continues today but much of its emphasis has shifted from concern with the specific problems of a librarian or a library manager to the more general problems of designing large information networks and satisfying the information needs of large classes of users through a variety of services. By moving in these directions, the operations researcher is largely following the course of the application of computers to library-type problems, since much of the motivation on the part of the librarians for the practice of operations research is in preparation for or defense against the relentless onslaught of computer-based automation of information activities. In many respects, it seems that these developments have resulted more in a change of the scale of the problems encountered rather than a change in the substance of the problems, since all of the old concerns and admonitions seem to carry just as much weight now as before. In some respects, they are even more pertinent since the potential rewards and potential risks are much greater in today's large scale applications.