ABSTRACT
There are many facets to the planning and preparation of a library materials budget request, and estimation of the costs of library materials is only one aspect of the process which a library must consider. Indeed an accurate appraisal of a library’s materials budgeting needs should be a continuous process which does not end when the budget is finally declared. There are numerous factors which must be taken into account, including cost research, economic conditions, political factors, environmental and historical variables, and administrative considerations. Each of these factors will be examined in detail in the paper which follows. The planning process ideally must involve not only most segments of the library staff, but also many parties outside the library. Although this paper will study the university research library environment, many steps of the process have application in other types of libraries. Certainly, the research which must occur before, during, and after the actual budget has been settled is common to any library situation and the other aspects of planning would have equal importance in all types of libraries.
