College of education libraries: a cause for concern?

Abstract

During the sixties colleges of education increased their student numbers at an unprecedented rate. As a consequence college libraries grew in size and improved their standards of provision. The evidence indicates, however, that this development of college libraries in no way matched the overall expansion of the colleges. This point is established by an examination of bookgrants, bookstocks, book prices, use, accommodation and staffing. The extent of this failure, compounded by present inflationary tendencies, is a cause for professional concern.