Any service to outside demand should never disadvantage the library s primary user groups. Four of the ten cost units used for calculating the subsidy pertain to the library. I agree that the subsidy formula, together with the a-factor is superseded. What is however perturbing, is that it is virtually impossible to obtain from management details of the library s share . Furthermore it appears that librarians are not consulted in financial allocations, prioritisation of campus projects, nor are they given the opportunity to defend their applications for funding.
Transparency is, therefore, essential.
However co-operation and consortiums amongst organisations should also receive the highest priority. In some cases it should even be fully exploited. It is therefore essential that the investment in the library helps to produce as many academically successful students as possible. This should reduce the high drop-out and poor throughput rates, and should help to optimalize the benefits of the always limited library facilities and services. The previous proposed rationalisation of library schools has not produced the intended results - we still have eighteen library schools, far more than the United Kingdom or any country in Europe.