24 

Cost Analysis of an Automated 
and Manual Cataloging and 
Book Processing System 

Joselyn DRUSCHEL: Washington State University , Pullman. 

A comparative cost analysis of an automated network system (WLN) and 
a local manual system of cataloging and book processing at Washington 
State University Libraries indicates that the automated system is about 20 
percent less costly than the manual system. A per-unit cost approach 
was used in calculating the monthly cost of each system based on the 
average number of items processed per month under the automated sys-
tem. The process and the results of the analysis are presented in a series 
of charts which detail the tasks, items processed, unit and total monthly 
costs of both the manual and automated systems. The higher costs of the 
manual system were essentially staff costs. 

The Technical Services Division (TSD) of Washington State Universi-
ty Libraries (WSUL) has had considerable experience in the use of auto-
mated techniques in selected areas of technical processing. An in-house 
automated acquisitions system was developed and implemented in 1967; 
that in-house system was eventually replaced by the acquisitions compo-
nent of the Washington Library Network (WLN) . Since November 
1977, the Technical Services Division of WSUL has used the WLN bib-
liographic component for data verification (searching) and cataloging of 
materials. 

Although the Library has generally known its total automation ex-
penditures, it has lacked a more precise breakdown of cost data on auto-
mated processing. Moreover, the library has practically no cost data on 
manual processing. This report deals only with the costs of using the 
WLN bibliographic system, not the WLN acquisitions component. An 
analysis was made of the total costs of both the automated and manual 
book processing systems. The objectives in undertaking the cost analysis 
were threefold: (1) to identify the essentially unknown costs of manual 
processing; (2) to provide more exact cost data on automated processing; 
and (3) to develop comparable data on the costs of each system . 

Manuscript received October 1980; accepted December 1980. 



Cost Analysis/DRUSCHEL 25 

METHODOLOGY 

The methodology used in this cost analysis was a per-unit cost ap-
proach. First, each process or task in which the staff were engaged in 
cataloging and book processing was identified. Second, the per-unit 
cost-e.g., staff, data base, materials-of each process was calculated. 
Finally, monthly costs were determined by multiplying the average 
number of items processed per month by the unit cost per task. The 
cost analysis charts (tables l(a)-l(e)-manual system; tables 
2(a)-2(d)-automated system), which detail the tasks, items processed, 
and unit and total costs form the body of· the analysis. Equipment 
costs-purchase, lease, maintenance-were calculated separately, and 
are included in the summary cost data for each system (table 3). 

IDENTIFICATION OF PROCESSES 

The staff of the TSD Cataloging and Book Processing Unit perform 
the following functions: bibliographic verification, bibliographic record 
production, bibliographic record maintenance, the marking of materials, 
binding preparation and receipt (for most of the library system), and the 
preparation of book cards. 

Table I( a). Cost Analysis: Manual Cataloging and Book Processing System 

Staff 
Costs 
Per 

Process Item 

Bibliographic Searching 
IDC Microfiche Search (LC and 

CIP Copy) 
LT I (.084/min @ 3 min/item) $ .252 
LT II (.094/min@ 3 min/item) .282 
LT III (.117/min @ 3 min/item) .351 

Subscription costs-IDC 
($10,000/yr -'- 47,664 
searches/yr = . 21/search) 

Microfiche Search Subtotal 

National Union Catalog, etc., 
Search 

LT I (.084/min@ 15 min/item) $1.26 
LT II (.094/min @ 15 min/item) 1.41 
LT III (.117/min@ 20 

min/item) 2.34 
LT III (.117/min@ 40 

min/item) 4. 68 

Subscriptions ($2, 940/yr -'-
15,300 searches/yr = 
.19/search) 

Manual Search Subtotal 

Bibliographic Searching Total 

Data 
Base 

Costs/ 
Item 

Subscription 
Costs/Item 

$ .21 
.21 
.21 

$ .19 
.19 

.19 

. 19 

Materials 
Costs/Item 

Average 
Total Number Total 
Cost Processed Cost 
Per Per Per 
Item Month Month 

$ .462 2484 $1,148 
244 
557 

.492 496 

.561 992 

$1.45 
1.60 

2.53 

4.87 

3972 $1,949 

588 $ 853 
169 270 

418 1,058 

100 487 

1275 $2,668 

5247 $4,617 



26 Journal of Library Automation Vol. 14/1 March 1981 

Table l(b). Cost Analysis: Manual Cataloging and Book Processing System 

Ave rage 
Staff Data Total Number Total 
Costs Base Cost Processed Cost 
Per Costs/ Subscription Materials Per Per Per 

Process Item Item Costs/Item Costs/Item Item Month Month 

Bibliographic Record 
Production-Processing and 
Products 

l. Cataloging with LC Microfiche 
Copy 

Type abbreviated fanfold 
(4-part 3x5 slips) 

Timeslip (.03/min@ min/item 
X 72) $ .803 $.02/ 

fanfold 
LT I (.084/min @ 10 min/item 

X 985) 
Check Series 
LT I (.084/min@ 2 min/item) .168 
Revise fanfold 
Supervisor I (.126/min @ 3 

min/item) .38 
Check fanfold against book; 

separate fanfold 
LT II (.094/min@ 2 min/item x 

540) .22 
Supervisor I (.126/min @ 2 

min/item x 517) 
Arrange and file shelflist copy 

of fanfold 
Timeslip (. 03/min @ 1.5 

min/slip) .045 
Revise shelflist filing of fanfold 

slips 
LT II (.094/min @ 1 min/slip) .094 
Verify Authorities ( Subject and 

name ) (1057x4 ) 
Timeslip (.03/min@ 4 

min/item) .12 
Type multilith master for card 

production 
LT I (. 084/min @ 6 min/master) .504 .061 

master 
Revise typed multilith master 
LT I (.084/min@ 3 min/master) .252 
Run multilith masters 
Multilith Operator (.13/min@ 

3.5 min/set) .455 (Cost of 
cards 

see below) 

Microfiche Copy Cataloging 
Subtotal $ 3.04 $ 081 $3.12 1057 $3,298 

item 

2. Cataloging with Modified Copy 
(NUC/ LC) 

Type fanfolds (4-part 3x5 slips ) 
LT I (.084/min@ 15 min/item) $ 1.26 $.021 

fanfold 



Cost Analysis/DRUSCHEL 27 

Table l(b) ( cont.) 

Check Series 
LT I (.084/min@ 2 min/item) .168 
Revise fanfold 
Supervisor I (.126/min @ 5 

min/item) .63 
Review fanfold cataloging 
Librarian (.155/min @ 5 

min/item) .775 
Separate fan folds 
LT II (.094/min @ 30 sec/item) .047 

. Arrange and file sheljlist copy 
of fanfold 

Timeslip (.03/min@ 1.5 
min/slip) .045 

Revise filing of shelflist copy 
LT II (.094/min @ l min/slip) .094 
Verify authorities (984 x 4) 
Timeslip (.03/min@ 4 

min/item) .12 
Type multilith master for card 

production 
LT I (.084/min @ 6 min/master) .504 .06/ 

master 
Revise typed multilith master 
LT I (.084/min @ 3 min/master) .252 
Run multilith masters 
Multilith Operator (.13/min @ 

3. 5 min/set) .455 (Cost of 
oards 

see below) 

Modified Copy Cataloging 
Subtotal $ 4.35 $.08/ $4.43 984 $4,359 

item 

3. Original Cataloging 
Catalog material 
Librarian (. 155/min @ 60 

min/item x 200) $ 9.60 
Librarian (.205/min @ 60 

min/item x 22) 
Revise cataloging 
Librarian (.205/min @ 5 

min/item) 1.03 
Type fan folds ( 4-part 3x5 slips) 
LT I (.084/min@ 15 min/item) 1.26 $.02/ 

fanfold 
Check Series 
LT I (.084/min@ 2 min/item .168 
Revise fanfold 
Supervisor I (.126/min @ 5 

min/item) .63 
Separate fan folds 
LT II (.094/min @ 30 sec/item) .047 
Arrange and file sheljlist copy 

of fanfold 
Timeslip (.03/min @ 1.5 

min/item) .045 
Revise filing of sheljlist copy 
LT II (.094/min @ 1 min/slip) .094 



28 journal of Library Automation Vol. 14/1 March 1981 

Table I(b) (c ont .) 

Staff 
Costs 
Per 

Process Item 

4. 

Type multilith master for card 
production 

LT I (.084/min @ 6 min/master) .504 

Revise typed master 
LT I (.084/min@ 3 min/master) .252 
Run multilith master 
Multilith Operator (.13/min @ 

3.5 min/set) .455 

Original Cataloging Subtotal $14.085 

Catalog Cards (7 cards/set @ 
.055/card) 
Subtotal 

Cataloging Total 

Miscellaneous Bibliographic 
Record Production 

Assign class numbers to theses 
Supervisor I (. 126/min @ 2 

min/item) 
Assign subject headings for 

audio visual materials 
Librarian (.155/min @ 2 

min/set) 
Type multilith masters for 

catalog cards for A-V 
materials 

LT I (.084/min @ 6 min/master) 

Revise multilith masters 
LT I (.084/min @ 3 min /master) 
Run multilith masters 
Multilith Operator (.13/min@ 

3.5 min/set) (20 cards) 

Resolve problems; general 
supervision 

Supervisor I (7.56/hr x 52 
hrs/mo) 

Librarian (9.32/hr @ 22 hrs/mo) 

Miscellaneous Bibliographic 
Record Production Subtotal 

Bibliographic Record 
Production Total 

$ .252 

.31 

.504 

.252 

.455 

Data 
Base 

Costs/ 
Item 

Subscription 
Costs/Item 

Materials 
Costs/Item 

.06/ 
master 

(Cost of 
cards 

see below) 

Total 
Cost 
Per 

Item 

Average 
Number Total 

Processed Cost 
Per Per 

Month Month 

$. 081 $14.165 222 $ 3,145 
item 

$.385/ 
set 

$.06/ 
master 

1.10/ 
set 

$ .252 

.31 

.564 

.252 

1.555 

4297 $ 1,6.54 

2263 $12,456 

30 

30 

30 

30 

30 

8 

9 

17 

8 

47 

393 
205 

$ 687 

$13,143 



Cost Analysis/DRUSCHEL 29 

Table I( c). Cost Analysis: Manual Cataloging and Book Processing System 

Average 
Staff Data Total Number Total 
Costs Base Cost Processed Cost 
Per Costs/ Subscription Mate rials Per Per Per 

Process Item Item Costs/ Item C osts/ltem I tern Month Month 

Bibliographic Record Maintenance 
Count sets of cards and match 

against cataloging copy 
LT I (.084/min @ 2 sets/min) $ .042 $ .042 4297 $ 180 
Type subject and added entries on 

card sets 
Timeslip (.03/min @ 3 min/set) .09 .09 4297 387 
Revise card sets 
LT II (.094/min @ 3 min/set) .282 .282 2520 711 
LT III (.117/min@ 3 min/set) .351 .35 1 1803 633 
Type subject and name authority 

slips 
Timeslip (.03/min @ 1 min/slip) .03 .03 4526 136 
File subject and name authority 

slips 
Timeslip (.03/min @: 1 min/slip) .03 .03 4526 136 
Separate card sets 
LT I (.084/min@ 2 sets/min) .042 .042 4297 180 
File subject catalog cards (2263x2) 
LT II (.094/m in @ 1 min/card ) .094 .094 4526 425 
File AIT catalog cards (2263 x3 ) 
LT I (.084/min @ 1 min/card) .084 .084 6789 570 
File shelflist cards (2) 
Timeslip (.03/min @ 1 min/card ) .03 .03 4526 136 
Retoise subject card filing 
LT III (.117/min@ 1 min/card ) .117 .117 .4526 530 
Retoise AIT card filing 
LT III (.117/min@ 1 min/card) .117 .117 6789 794 
Revise sheljlist filing (2) 
LT II (.094/min @ 1 min/card ) .094 .094 2340 220 
Supervisor I (.126/min @ 1 

min/card ) .126 .126 2186 275 
Alphabetize and date works/ips 
LT I (.084/min @ 4 slips/min) .021 .021 2263 48 

Pull card sets (withdrawals and 
card corrections 

Timeslip (.03/min @ lO min/set) .30 .30 100 30 
Revise card pulling ( 100 

sets/month) 
Supervisor I (.126/min @ 2 

min/set) .252 .252 100 25 
Correct card sets (50 sets/month ) 
LT II (.094/min@ 5 min/set) .465 .465 50 23 
Revise card corrections 
Supervisor I (.126/min @ 2 

min/set) .252 .252 50 13 
Process added copies (Record 

accession # on shelflist; record 
call # in book; type slip for 
marking) 

LT II (.094/min @ 15 min/item) 1.41 1.41 50 71 



30 journal of Library Automation Vol. 14/1 March 1981 

Table 1( c) (cont.) 

Average 
Staff Data Total Number Total 
Costs Base Cost 
Per Costs/ Subscription Materials Per 

Process Item 

Locate materials in process 
LT II (.094/min @ 15 min/item) $1.41 
Prepare books for binding decision 
Supervisor I (. 126/min @ 1 

min/item) .126 
General Supervision 
Librarian ($12.34/hr @ 65 

hours/month) 

Bibliographic Record 
Maintenance Total 

Item Costs/Item Costs/Item Item 

$1.41 

. 126 

Table I( d ) . Cost Analysis: Manual Cataloging and Book Processing System 

Staff Data Total 
Costs Base Cost 
Per Costs/ Subscription Materials Per 

Process Item Item Costs/Item Costs/Item Item 

Marking 
Sort materials for processing 

(marking) 
OA II-Typing (.105/min@ 

30 sec/item) $ .053 $ .053 
Place materials on table 
OA 11-Typing (.105/min@ 

20 items/min) .005 .005 
Process materials (type and 

paste labels, pockets, & 
date due slips; type book 
cards) 

Timeslip (.03/min@ 20 
min/item) .60 $.029/ .629 

label ; 
pocket ; 

date due 
slip; 

book card 
Process materials with tab 

book cards (type and paste 
labels, pockets, & date due 
slips) 

Timeslip (.03/min @ 16 
min/item) .48 .032/ .512 

OA II-Typing (.105/min@ 
16 min/item) 1.68 label; 1.712 

pocket; 
date due 

slip; 
book card 

Processed Cost 
Per Per 

Month Month 

50 $ 71 

50 6 

802 

$6,402 

Average 
Number Total 

Processed Cost 
Per Per 

Month Month 

2263 $ 120 

2263 ll 

400 252 

1555 796 

308 527 



Cost Analysis/DRUSCHEL 31 

Table 1( d) (cont.) 

Keypunch bookcards 
LT I (.084/min @ 2.4 

min/card) .201 
Verify book cards 
LT III (.117/min@ 1.6 

min/card) .187 
Revise Processing 
LT I (.084/min @ 2 min/item) .168 
LT III (. 117/min@ 2 

min/item) .234 
Sort materials for delivery 
OA II-Typing (.105/min@ 

1.5 items/min) .07 
Unpack bindery materials, 

pull slips 
LT I (.084/min @ 1 min/item) .084 

Verify bindery slips; check 
price 

LT III (.117/min@ 2 
min/item) 

General supervision, bindery 
account & statistical data 

LT III (7.04/hr@ 15 hrs/mo) 
Supervisor II (8.97/hr @ 128 

hrs/mo) 
Librarian (12.34/hr @ 15 

hrs/mo) 

Marking Total 

Cataloging and Book 
Processing Total 

.234 

Table I( e). Total Monthly Costs (Summary ) 

Staff Costs 
Per Month 

$25,775 

Data Base 
Costs/Month 

Subscription 
Costs 

Per Month 

$1,076 

.201 1863 374 

.187 1863 348 

.168 1500 252 

.234 763 179 

.07 2263 158 

.084 550 46 

.234 550 129 

106 

1,148 

185 

$ 4,631 

$28,793 

Material Costs 
Per Month 

Total Cost 
Per Month 

$1,942 $28,793 

Table 2(a). Cost Analysis: Automated Cataloging and Book Processing System 

Average 
Staff Data Total Number Total 
Costs Base Cost Processed Cost 
Per Costs/ Subscription Materials Per Per Per 

Process Item Item Costs/Item Costs/Item Item Month Month 

Bibliographic Searching 
l. WLN Data Base Search 

Items searched, no Inquiry 
charges 

LT II (.094/min @ 1 min/item) 
Terminal use (4 @ .06) $ .094 $ .24 $ .334 2443 $ 816 
Terminal use (3@ .06) .094 .18 .274 100 27 



32 journal of Library Automation Vol. 14/1 March 1981 

Table 2( a) (cont.) 

Average 
Staff Data Total Number Total 
Costs Base Cost Processed Cost 
Per Costs/ Subscription Materials Per Per Per 

Process Item Item Costs/Item Costs/Item Item Month Month 

Items searched, Inquiry charges 
assessed 

LT II (.094/min@ 1 min/item) 
Inquiry (3 @ .069) .094 .39 .484 1429 692 
Terminal use (3@ .06) 

Data Base Search Subtotal 3972 $1,535 

2. National Union Catalog, etc. 
Search (Manual) 

LT II (.094/min @ 10 min/item ) .94 .31 1.25 508 635 
Subscriptions ($1,860/yr + 

6096 searches/yr) 
Manual Search Subtotal 508 $ 635 

Bibliographic Searching Total 4480 $2, 170 

Table 2(b ). Cost Analysis: Automated Cataloging and Book Processing System 

Average 
Staff Data Total Number Total 
Costs Base Cost Processed Cost 
Per Costs/ Subscription Materials Per Per Per 

Process Item Item Costs/Item Costs/Item Item Month Month 

Bibliographic Record 
Production- Processing and 
Products 

l. Materials Cataloged 
Via WLN 
a. Cataloging with WLN Data 

base copy 
Attach holdings; order cards 
LT II (.094/min @ 6 

min/item) $ .564 
Data Base Costs 
Inquiry costs (no charge) 
Cost per record use $1.60 
Cost per request .15 
Shelllist cards (4 @ .055) .22 
COM (cost pe r record ) .43 
Terminal use (1 @ .06/use) .06 

------
WLN Data Base Copy 

Subtotal $ .564 $2.46 $3.024 1376 $4,161 

b. Cataloging with CIP Copy 
Upgrade data base copy 
LT II (. 094/m in @ 11 

min/item) $1.034 
Revise upgraded copy 
Librarian (.155/min @ 5 

min/item) .775 
Attach holdings order cards 
LT II (.094/min @ 6 

min/item ) .564 



Table 2(b) (cont.) 

Data Base Costs 
Cost per record use 
Cost per request 
Shelflist cards (4 @ .055) 
COM (cost per record) 
Terminal use (1 @ .06/use) 

$1.60 
.15 
.22 
.43 
.06 

CIP Copy Subtotal $2.373 $2.46 

c. Cataloging with Modified 
Copy (e.g., NUC/LC 
copy) 

Prepare cataloging 
worksheets 

LT II (.094/min @ 15 
min/item) $1.41 

Revise cataloging 
worksheets 

LT II (.094/min @ 10 
min/item) . 94 

MARC TAG Worksheets 
Supervisor II (.15/min @ 15 

min/item) 2.25 
Revise MARC tagged 

worksheets 
Librarian (.155/min @ 8 

min/item) 1.24 
Input cataloging data; 

attach holdings; order 
cards 

Timeslip (.03/min @ 25 
min/item) . 75 

Revise data input and verify 
authorities 

Librarian (. 155/min @ lO 
min/item) 1.55 

Data base costs 
Cost of input per record 
Cost of Authority checks 
(7 checks @ .069/entry) 
Shelflist cards (4 @ .055) 
COM (cost per record) 
Terminal use (7 @ .06/use) 

$ .14 

.48 

.22 

.43 

.42 

Modified Copy Subtotal $8.14 $1.69 

d. Original Cataloging 
Catalog and MARC Tag 

material 
Librarian (.155/min @ 60 

min/item) $ 9.30 
Revise Cataloging and 

MARC tagging 
Librarian (.205/min @ 5 

min/item) 1.03 
Input Cataloging data; 

attach holdings; order 
cards 

LT II (.094/mi n @ 25 min x 
104) 

Cost Analysis/DRUSCHEL 33 

$4.833 153 $ 739 

$9.83 95 $ 934 



34 journal of Library Automation Vol. 14/1 March 1981 

Table 2(b ) (cont.) 

Average 
Staff Data Total Number Total 
Costs Base Cost Processed Cost 
Per Costs/ Subscription Materials Per Per Per 

Process Item Item Costs/Item Costs/Item Item Month Month 

Timeslip (.03/min @ 25 min 
X 118) 1.49 

Revise input; verify 
authorities 

Librarian (.155/min @ 10 
min/item) 1.55 

Data base costs 
Cost of input per record $ .14 
Cost of authority checks (7 

checks @ .069/entry) .48 
Shelflist cards (4 @ .055) .22 
COM (cost per record) .43 
Terminal use (7 @ .06/use) .42 -----

Subtotal $13.37 $1.69 $15.06 222 $ 3,343 

WLN Cataloging Total 1846 $ 9,177 

2. Materials Cataloged via Other 
Methods 

a. Microform Cataloging from 
Publisher's Copy 

Review and revise copy; 
complete processing; 
revise card sets 

Librarian (.25/min@ 2. 7 
min/item) $ .675 

Xerox card sets (1 0 
cards/set) 

Timeslip (.03/min @ 1 
min/title) .03 $.551 

set 

Microform Subtotal $ .705 $.551 $1.255 407 $ 511 
set 

b. Cataloging Music Scores 
Catalog scores; prepare for 

card production; revise 
card sets 

Librarian (.25/min @ 28 
min/item) 7.00 

Xerox card sets (14 
cards/se t) 

Timeslip (.03/min@ 2 
min/title) .06 .77/ 

set 

Music Score Subtotal $ 7.06 $. 77/ $7.83 10 $ 78 
set 

Non-WLN Cataloging 
Total 417 $ 589 

Cataloging Total 2263 $9,766 



Cost Analysis/DRUSCHEL 35 

Table 2(b ) (cont .) 

3. Miscellaneous Costs 
Assign class numbers to theses 
Supervisor II (.15/m in @ 2 

min/item) $ .30 $ .30 30 $ 9 
Retrieve "RUSH" monographs 
Supervisor II (. 15/min @ 15 

min/item) 2.25 2. 25 75 169 
Correct/update WLN data base 

information 
LT II (.094/min @ 10 

min/item) 
Terminal use (1 @ .06/use ) .94 $.06 1.00 360 360 
Assign Subject Headings for 

Audio Visual Materials 
Librarian (.155/min @ 2 

min/set) .31 .31 30 9 
File Subject Authority Slips for 

Microform Mat erials 
Librarian (.155/min @ 1.15 

min/slip) .18 .18 55 10 
Resolve Problems; General 

Supervision 
LT II (5 .68/hr x 13 hrs/mo) 74 
Supervisor II (8. 97 hrs x 89 

hrs/mo) 798 
Librarian ($12. 34 hr x 52 

hrs/mo) 642 

Miscellaneous Costs Subtot~l $ 2,071 

Bibliographic Record 
Production Total $11 ,837 

Table 2(c). Cost Analysis: Automated Cataloging and Book Processing System 

Average 
Staff Data Total Number Total 
Costs Base Cost Processed Cost 
Per Costs/ Subscription Materials Per Per Per 

Process Item Item Costs/Item Costs/Item Item Month Month 

Bibliographic Record 
Maintenance- TS D 

Collate card sets from WLN 
(7384 cards) 

LT I (. 083/min @ 30 sec/card) $ .042 $ .042 7384 $ 310 
Insert card sets in books 
LT II (.094/min @ 1.6 

min/item) 
Process New Books (1846 ) 1.51 . 151 1846 279 
Review cards against books; 

add accession number and 
stamp date on shelflist card; 
carrect series (when needed); 
separate card sets and 
distribute 

Timeslip (.03/min @ 10 
min/item) .30 .30 145 44 



38 Journal of Library Automation Vol. 14/1 March 1981 

Table 2( c) (cont.) 

Average 
Staff Data Total Number Total 
Costs Base Cost Processed Cost 
Per Costs/ Subscription Materials Per Per Per 

Process Item Item Costs/Item Costs/Item Item Month Month 

LT I (.083/ min @ 10 min/item) $.83 $ .83 1701 $1 ,412 
Revise Book Processing (1846) 
LT III (.117/min@ 1 min/item) .117 .117 1846 216 
File Central and Holland 

Sheljlist 
Timeslip (.03/min @ 1 

min/card) .03 .03 4526 136 
Revise Central and Holland 

Sheljlist 
LT I (.083/min @ 30 sec/card) .042 .042 4526 190 
Separate and Alphabetize 

Microform Card Sets 
Timeslip (.03/min @ 1 min/set) .03 .03 2000 60 
File Author/Title/Subject 

Microform Cards in General 
Catalog 

Timeslip (.03/min@ 1 
min/card) .03 .03 2000 60 

Revise Filing General Catalog 
LT III (.117/min@ 1 min/card) .117 .117 2000 234 

Pull Card Sets (withdrawals 
and card corrections--40 
setslmo) 

Timeslip (.03/min@ 10 
min/set) .30 .30 20 6 

LT I (.083/min @ 6 min/set) .498 .498 20 10 
Revise Card Pulling 
LT III (.117/min@ 2 min/set) .234 .234 40 10 
Correct Card Sets (20 sets/mo) 
LT I (.083/min@ 6 min/set) .498 .498 20 10 
Revise Card Corrections 
LT III (.117/min@ 2 min/set) .234 .234 20 5 
Process Added Copies 
(Record Accession number on 

shelflist; record call number 
in book; type slip for 
marking) 

LT I (.083/min @ 15 min/item ) 1.25 1.25 50 63 
Locate Materials in Process 
LT I (.083/min@ 15 min/item) 1.25 1.25 33 41 
Prepare Books for Bindery 

Decision 
LT III (.117/min @ 1 min/item) .117 .117 50 6 
Supervise Staff and Timeslip 
LT III (7.04/hr @ 68 hrs/mo) 479 
Librarian (12.34/hr@ 50.5 

hrs/mo ) 623 

Bibliographical Record 
Maintenance Total $4,194 



Cost Analysis!DRUSCHEL 39 

Table 2(d). Cost Analysis: Automated Cataloging and Book Processing System 

Average 
Staff Data Total Number Total 
Costs Base Cost Processed Cost 
Per Costs! Subscription Materials Per Per Per 

Process Item Item Costs/Item Costs/Item Item Month Month 

Marking 
Sort Materials for Processing 

( Marking ) 
OA II-Typing (. 105/ min@ 30 

sec/item) $ .053 $ .053 2263 $ 120 
Place Materials on Table 
OA II- Typing (.105/min@ 20 

items/min) .005 .005 2263 11 
Process Materials (type and 

paste labels, pockets and date 
due slips; type book cards ) 

Timeslip (.03/min @ 16 
min/item) .60 $.029/ .629 400 252 

date due 
slip; label 

pocket ; 
Process Materials with Tab book card 

Book Cards (type and paste 
labels, pockets and date due 
slips) 

Timeslip (.03/min @ 16 
min/item) .48 .032/ .512 1555 796 

OA II-Typing (. 105/min @ 16 
min/item) 1.68 date due 1.712 308 527 

slip ; label; 
pocket ; 

book card 
Keypunch Bookcards 
LT I (.083/min @ 2.4 min/card) .20 .20 1863 373 
Verify Book Cards 
LT III (. 117/min @ 1.6 

min/card) . 187 .187 1863 348 
Revise Processing 
LT I (.083/min @ 2 min/item) .166 .166 1500 249 
LT III (.117/min@ 2 min/item) .234 .234 763 179 
Sort Materials for Delivery 
OA II-Typing (.105/min@ 1.5 

items/min ) .07 .07 2263 158 
Unpack Bindery Materials; Pull 

slips 
LT I (.083/min @ 1 item/min) .083 .083 550 46 

Verify Bindery Slips and Check 
Price 

LT III (. 117/min @ 2 min/item) .234 .234 550 129 
General Supervision; Bindery 

Accounts and Statistical Data 
LT III (7.04/hr @ 36 hrs/mo) 253 
Supervisor II (8.97/hr@ 128 

hrs/mo) 1,148 

Marking Total $ 4,589 

Cataloging and Book 
Processing Total $22,790 



40 journal of Library Automation Vol. 14/ 1 March 1981 

Table 2(e ) . Total Monthly Costs ( Summary ) 

Staff Costs 
Per Month 

$16,849 

Data Base 
Costs/Month 

$5,480 

Subscription 
Costs 

Per Month 

$157 

Materials Costs 
Per Month 

$304 

Total 
Cost 

Per Month 

$22 ,790 

Table 3. Cataloging and Book Processing System: Summary Comparison Costs 

Manual System 
Category Costs/Month 

Staff 
Data Base 
Subscriptions 
Materials 
Equipment 

Total 

$25,775 

1,076 
1,942 

462 

$29 ,255/month 

Cost Comparison-Difference 
Manual $29,255/ month 
Automated $23,680/month 

Automated System 
Category Costs/Month 

Staff 
Data Base 
Subscriptions 
Materials 
Equipment 

Total 

$16,849 
5 ,480 

157 
304 
890 

$23, 680/month 

$ 5,575/month/$66,900/year 

Since 1978 this unit, as well as all units in the Technical Services 
Division, have periodically analyzed unit activities, and recorded the data 
collected on Work Assignment/Staffing profile sheets (see table 4 for 
sample profile sheet). The primary purpose of the profiles was to de-
velop a detailed account of work distribution throughout TSD in order 
to determine the staffing requirements necessary for each unit to main-
tain an even workflow. In the cost analysis , the Cataloging and Book 
Processing (CBP) profile was used to identify each unit process, as well 
as to provide the basic data on the number and level of staff and the 
time required to perform each process . Additionally, for the automated 
system, the CBP profile sheets, together with WLN invoices (see figure · 
1 for sample invoice) and WLN monthly activity reports (see figure 2 for 
sample activity report) were used to determine the average number of 
items processed per month . For example, since about 85 percent of the 
cataloging done in TSD is via WLN, it was possible to derive exact 
figures from WLN invoices for the average number of items cataloged 
per month. The WLN invoices also differentiated between data-base 
copy cataloging and original data entry . The CBP profile sheets were 
used to determine average number of non-WLN items cataloged. 

Using a combination of WLN invoice and profile data, a chart was 
constructed of the average number of items searched and cataloged per 
month under the automated system (see table 5) . In order to make costs 
comparable, an assumption was made that the same average number of 
items was searched and cataloged under the previous manual system 
and a similar chart was made for it (see table 6). In reality , the available 
staff under the manual system could not process the same amount of 
material per month. 



Cost Analysis/DRUSCHE L 41 

Table 4 . Technical Services Division Work Assignment/Staffing Profile: November 1978 

Unit: Cataloging and Book Processing. Subunit: LC Copy Editing . 

Tasks or Processes 

Average 
Number 
of Items 
Received 

for 
Processing 

Order card sets, check item { 2100/mo(monos ) 
agamst data base, enter 
holdings 63/mo(serials) 

Prepare worksheets 210/mo 

Prepare TS D series cards 126/mo 
Do series check 350/mo 

Average 
Time 

Per Item 

6 min/item 

6 min/item 

10 min/item 

2 min/item 
2 min/item 

Update CIP records 134/mo 10 min/item 
. . . { 210/mo(mono) 25 min/item 

Input ongmal catalogmg data 211 ( · 1 ) 25 · /'t · mo sena s · mm 1 em 
Process "RUSH" monographs 168/mo 15 min/item 
Process corrections-

360/mo 10 min/item 
data base information 
Receive materials-

sort series 2100/mo 3 items/min 

Resolve problems; NA NA 
locate materials 
Prepare and sort series 

168/mo 8 min/item 
decisions materials 
Sort Mail NA NA 

STAFF COSTS 

Total 
Staff 

Hours 
Average Staff Available 
Number Hours at 
of Items Needed Level of Designated 

Processed Per Task Staff Level 

10/hr {LTI 
124.1 

210/mo LT II 85 .9 
10/hr 6.3/mo LT III 6.3 

6/hr {LTI 
17.5 

35/mo LT II 17.5 
30/hr 4.2/mo LT I 4.2 
30/hr 11. 7/mo LT I 22.3 

6/hr 22.3/mo LT II 22.3 
2.4/hr 87.5/mo LT II 87.5 
2.4/hr 8.75/mo LT III 8.75 

4/hr 42/mo LT II 42 

6/hr {LT II 
30 

60/mo Sup II 30 

180/hr 11.6/mo LT II 11.6 

NA {LT II 18.6 31.2/mo LT III 13 

7.5/hr 22.4/mo LT III 22.4 

NA 42/mo LT III 42 

In the cost analysis of the automated system, the monthly wages for 
staff members of the Cataloging and Book Processing Un it were based 
on current monthly salaries (as of February 1980) plus estimated fringe 
benefits (2 1 percent). The total wages were added together for each 
level of staff and d ivided by the number of staff at that level to give an 

0002 RBSBILL 

RPT B1041 AGENCY INVOICED - 0002 

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVE RSITY 
HOLLAND LIBRARY 
PULLMAN WA 99164 

ALLENE F SCHNAITTER 

SERVICES CHARGES 
COM CATLG PROCESSING W/S HOLD 
COM CATLG FICHE COPIES 
ONLINE-ATTACH SUM HOLD- COL 1 
ONLINE-REQ CAT CARDS-CO L 1 
ONLINE I NPUT OF BIB REC - COL 1 
ONLI NE INQUIRY INTO DATABASE 
CATALOG CARDS 

WASHINGTON LIBRARY NETWORK 

CUSTOMER INVOICE 

**. * * ***** *** * ** *** ** ••• *** * *** * 
*INVOICED EXPENDITURE BREAKDOWN* 

ACCOUNT NUMBER / SYSTEM * 
4000 00 

* RECURRING CHA~GES-BIB SYS T EM * 
** *** ** * *** ** ** ** **** * ****** *** * 

QUANTITY UNITS 

18 , 750 . 00 
459.00 
810.00 

1,003.00 
378.00 

5 , 335 . 00 
5,54 1. 00 

@ 4¢ A TITLE 
@ 15¢ A COPY 
@$ 1. 60 RECRD 
@ 15¢ EACH 
@ 14¢ EACH 
@ 6.9¢ EACH 
@ 5.5¢ CARD 

TOTAL SERVICES CHARGES 

TOTAL CHARGES , 

F ig. 1. Washington Library Network Customer Invoice . 

BILLING DATE - 12/31/79 

REF . INVOICE NO . - 000001311 

PAGE NO . 0001 

TOTAL CHARGES CREDITS NET CHARGES 

750.00 
68.85 

1 , 296 . 00 
150.45 

52 . 92 
368.11 
304 . 75 

2. 991.08 

2. 991.08 

750,00 
68.85 

1 , 296 . 00. 
150.45 

52 . 92 
368.11 
304 . 75 

2,991.08 * 

2,991. 08 * 



42 journal of Library Automation Vol. 14/1 March 1981 

MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT TOR PERIOD 11/01/79 TO 11/30/79 

LIBRARY TOTAL HOLDINGS HOLDINGS RECORDS CONTRIBUTION RCPS FROM ACQ ORDERS INQ UIRY 
AS OF 11/30/79 ADDED INPUT FACTOR 11/01 TO 11/28 CREATED TRANSACTIONS 

WaPaC 2, 0 59 38 . 0% 311 

WaP1P 41,549 416 385 92.5% 588 1,472 6,607 

WaPoH 33,801 566 89 15 . 7X 616 5,243 

WaPS (WSU LIBRARY) 44 866 1 630 197 12 . 0% 2013 1 674 1 9 013 

Fig . 2 . Washington Library Network Monthly Activity Report (selective sample ). 

average monthly wage . This average was then divided by 174 (the stan-
dard figure for university staff hours per month) to determine the aver-
age hourly rate . To calculate staff costs per minute, it was necessary to 
carry the per-minute costs to the third decimal to approximate the total 
dollars expended for staffing (see table 7) . No other indirect costs , e. g., 
breaks, annual leave, or holidays, were included in staff wages ; how-
ever, in order to determine the staff hours available to perform the 
functions being analyzed, nonproductive hours or staff hours devoted to 
other ass ignments had to be calculated and deducted. These calculations 
were made according to the following formula : 

hours/year 
hours/year 

120 hours/year 
hours/year 

88 hours/year 
96 hours/year 

committee assignment (varied) 
unit meetings (varied) 
breaks (standard) 
annual leave (varied) 
holidays (standard) 
sick leave (standardized) 
based on hours earned per month 

hours/year-:- 12 = __ hours/month 

The primary reasons for variation in the nonproductive hours were 
length of service and whether a staff member was faculty or classified . 
Staff costs under the manual system were based on current monthly 
wages; however, the number and level of staff are esse ntially that which 
existed at the time the manual system was function ing (see table 8). 
Timeslip costs were not based on the minimum hourly wage, since a 
large number of hours were work/study during the period of the analy-
sis . The total hours worked were divided by the total monthly expendi-
ture to derive the per-minute timeslip costs. No effort was made to re-
construct actual timeslip costs under the manual system, but the same 
per-minute timeslip costs were used in order to avoid unnecessary 
skewing of staff costs under the manual system. 

DATA BASE COSTS 

The per unit costs of using the WLN bibliographic system, both for 
performing processes and securing products, were based on the 1979-80 



Cost Analysis/DRUSCHEL 43 

Table 5 . Typ e and Average Numb e r of Items Searched/Cataloged Per Month on Automated System 
(Based on WLN Invoice Data and CBP Work Assignment/Staffing Profile ) 

Not NUC 
Searched (WLN )/Month Found/Month Found/Month Searched/Month 

Book Approvals 600 420 (70%) 180 
Firm Orders 700 406 (58%) 294 

Form Approvals 244 (60%) 
Regular 162 (40%) 

New Acquisitions 295 90 (30% ) 205 
(Re-searched) 

Precats 1380 414 (30%) 966 
Documents 125 25 (20%) 100 50 
Se rials 100 lO (10%) 90 30 
RUSH 75 32 (42%) 43 43 
Gifts 100 5 (5% ) 95 95 
Monographic Series 300 120 (40%) 180 
Originals 222 0 (0%) 222 222 
Reinstates 75 7 (10%) 68 68 

3972 1529 (38 .5%) 2443 508 

Type and Quantity of Bibliographic Data Found in Data Base 
1376 LC Copy 

153 CIP Copy (10%) 
1529 

Type and Quantity of Original Data Entry 
Monographs 192 
Se rials 30 
NUC/ LC 95 

Total 317 

Total Mate rials Cataloged 
WLN Data Base Copy 1529 
WLN Original Data Entry 317 
Non-WLN Microform 407 
Non-WLN Music lO 

2263 

WLN schedule of charges. The average number of items processed was 
derived from the WLN invoices. The per-record cost of the COM cata-
log was calculated by taking the total costs of producing the COM cata-
log from July 1979 to February 1980 and dividing these costs by the 
number of titles contained in the COM catalog. Although the WLN 
schedule of charges stipulates a charge of . 069 cents per data-base in-
quiry, three kinds of processes allow a given number of inquiries with-
out charge. Since not all allowable inquiries are always used for these 
processes, there are generally a number of inquiries which can be made 
without charges being assessed. Between July 1979 and February 1980, 
the average number of monthly inquiries for which there was a charge 
was 11,800; the average number per month for which there was no 
charge assessed was 8,044. For this reason, in the cost analysis of the 
automated system (table 2(a)), there appears a category "Items Searched, 
No Inquiry Charges" under the Bibliographic Searching section. 



44 journal of Library Automation Vol. 14/1 March 1981 

Table 6. Type and Average Number of Items Searched/Cataloged Per Month on Manual System 
(Based on CBP Work Assignment/Staffing Profile) 

Not NUC 
Searched (IDC)/Month Found/Month Found/Month Searched/Month 

Book Approvals 600 300 (50%) 300 
Firm Orders 700 280 (40%) 420 420 
New Acquisitions 295 59 (20%) 236 

(Re-searched) 
Precats 1380 276 (20%) 1104 
Documents 125 12 (10%) 113 113 
Serials 100 5 (5%) 95 95 
RUSH 75 23 (30%) 52 52 
Gifts 100 5 (5%) 95 95 
Monographic Series 300 90 (30%) 210 210 
Originals 222 0 (0%) 222 222 
Reinstates 75 7 (10%) 68 68 

Total 3972 1057 (26.5%) 2915 1275 

Type and Quantity of Materials Cataloged 
IDC Copy 1057 
Modified Copy 984 
Original Cataloging 222 

2263 

(Note: Part of the "no charge" inquiries are generated and used by the 
Acquisitions Unit and are therefore not included in this analysis.) 

Although the terminal service and line charges might simply have 
been added as a total amount to the data-base costs, it seemed more 
meaningful to distribute these costs on a per-use basis . The method 
used to distribute these charges was to identify each use of the biblio-
graphic data base, and to divide the total monthly costs of terminals and 
lines by the total monthly units of use (see table 9). This method of dis-
tributing terminal service and line charges not only provided per-unit 
terminal use costs, but also served to categorize kinds and quantity of 
data-base use. 

SUBSCRIPTION AND MATERIAL COSTS 

Subscription costs include only those bibliographic tools purchased for 
use in TSD for the purpose of bibliographic searching. As a result of the 
increased growth of the bibliographic data base, fewer tools are being 
used for searching under the automated system than under the manual 
system. Prior to the implementation of WLN, the library subscribed to 
bibliographic data (LC and CIP copy) on microfiche supplied by the In-
formation Dynamics Corporation (IDC). The per-unit costs of all sub-
scriptions are presented in the cost analysis charts (tables 1(a) and 2(a)). 

Material costs include only those materials unique to cataloging and 
book processing; general supplies, such as pencils and paper, are not in-
cluded. The calculation of the per-unit cost of most materials is general-
ly straightforward. It should be noted, however, that under the auto-
mated system, products, i.e., materials, are included in the data-base 



Cost Analysis/DRUSCHEL 45 

Table 7. Staff Costs: Automated Cataloging and Book Processing System 

Staff Costs/Month 
Classified Staff 
OA II 
LT I (4) 
LT II (4) 
LT III (2) 
Supervisor II (2) 

Faculty 
Catalogers (3Vz) (Monos) 
Unit Head 

Staff Costs/Minute 
Times lip 
OA II 
LT I (4) 
LT II (4) 
LT III (2) 
Supervisor II (2) 
Catalogers (3V2) 
Unit Head 

Total Staff Costs/month 
Timeslip----809 hrs 

@ $1,456/mo 
Special Projects Librarian 
Classified Staff 
Faculty 

Total (All Staff) 

Salaries 
Month 
$ 912 
2,888 
3,269 
2,024 
2,578 

$4,691 
1,774 

Plus 
21% 

(Fringe 
Benefits) 

$192 
606 
686 
425 
541 

$985 
373 

$1,456/mo + 809 hrs = 1.80/hr + 60 = .03/min 
1,104/mo + 174 = 6.34/hr + 60 = .105/min 

Costs/ 
Month 

$ 1,104 
3,494 
3,955 
2,449 
3,119 

Subtotal $14,121 

$ 5,676 
2,147 

Subtotal $ 7,823 

3,494/mo + 4 = $874/mo + 174 = 5.02/hr + 60 = .083/min 
3, 955/mo + 4 = $989/mo + 17 4 = 5. 68/hr + 60 = . 094/min 
2,449/mo + 2 = $1,225/mo + 174 = 7.04/hr + 60 = .117/min 
3,119/mo + 2 = $1,560/mo + 174 = 8.97/hr + 60 = .15/min 
5,676/mo + 3.5 = $1,622/mo + 174 = 9.32/hr + 60 = .155/min 
2,147/mo + 174 = 12.34/hr + 60 = .205/min 

$ 1,456 
345* 

14,121 
7,823 

$23,745 

*Amount of time (wages) assigned to cataloging. 

costs, and only those materials used independent of the data base, e. g., 
book pockets and book cards, are listed as material costs on the charts. 
Under the manual system, due to the divisional arrangement of the li-
brary system and the number of card catalogs being maintained, the for-
mula for producing sets of cards for a single title was complex. For this 
reason, the costs and number of cards produced for the titles cataloged 
per month are listed as a separate line item. 

EQUIPMENT COSTS 

Equipment costs include only equipment unique to cataloging and 
book processing, i.e., required for processing or products. General 
equipment, such as desks, book trucks, typewriters, are not included. 

Equipment-Automated System 

During the period covered by the cost analysis, November 1977 to 
February 1980, the following equipment was purchased for the auto-
mated system: 



46 Journal of Library Automation Vol. 14/1 March 1981 

7 Bibliographic terminals 
10 Modems or modem contention units 
2 Printers 

Tax 

$24,360 
5,433 
6,500 

$36,293 
1,887 

$38,180 

Two pieces of equipment are currently being leased (maintenance 
included): 

Keypunch 
Verifier 

@$ 92.61 
@ 101.12 

$193. 73/month 

Summary of Monthly Equipment Costs 

Purchases (5-year amortization) $636.33 
Maintenance 60.00 
Leased equipment 193.73 

$890.06/month 

Equipment-Manual System 

If the automated system had not been implemented, the following 
equipment would have been purchased during this period: 

2 Card catalogs $ 3, 755 
5 Kardex units 4,475 
2 Lined ex units __ 2, 944 

$11,174 
Tax 581 

$11,755 

Although the anticipated life span of this equipment should be consider-
ably greater than that of terminals and modems, it has also been amor-
tized over a five-year period. The rationale for this period of amortiza-
tion is that the rate of growth of the files for which the equipment is 
used results in the purchase of additional equipment equivalent to the 
expected replacement of electronic equipment. Therefore, the initial 
cost of these purchases amortized would have been $196/month. 

Since the multilith has been owned by the library for more than 
twenty years, its purchase price is not applicable to this analysis. How-
ever, maintenance on the multilith is $72.24/month. Two pieces of 
equipment were being leased under the manual system (maintenance 
included): 

Keypunch 
Verifier 

@$ 92.61 
@ 101.12 

$193. 73/month 



Cost Analysis/DRUSCHEL 47 

Summary of Monthly Equipment Costs 

Purchases (5-year amortization) $196.00 
Maintenance 72.27 
Leased equipment 193.73 

$462.00/month 

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION 

The cost analysis clearly indicates that at Washington State University 
Libraries the automated cataloging and book processing system is less ex-
pensive than its previous manual system . By using the bibliographic 
component of the WashiQgton Library Network, the library has reduced 
the costs of searching, cataloging, and record maintenance by almost 20 
percent (see table 10-summary comparison costs by function). The 
higher costs of the manual system are essentially staff costs. Under that 

Table 8. Staff Costs: Manual Cataloging and Book Processing System (Based on the 1977 Staffing 
Levels at Current Staff Costs) 

Staff Costs/Month 
Classified Staff 
OA II- Typing 
LT I (11) 
LT II (3) 
LT III (5) 
Supervisor I (2) 
Supervisor II 
Offset Duplicator Operator 

Faculty 
Catalogers (3. 5) 
Unit Head 

Staff Costs/Minute 
Timeslip 
OA II-Typing 
LT I (11) 
LT II (3) 
LT III (5) 
Supervisor I (2) 
Supervisor II 
Offset Duplicator Operator 
Catalogers (3.5) 
Unit Head 

Total Staff Costs/Month 
Timeslip---1208 hrs 

@ $2,174/mo 
Classified Staff 
Faculty 

Total (All Staff) 

Plus 
21% 

Salaries (Fringe 
Month Benefits) 
$ 912 $ 192 

7,950 1,670· 
2,434 511 
5,060 1,063 
2,175 457 
1,289 271 
1,135 238 

Subtotal 

4,691 985 
1,774 373 

Subtotal 

$2,174/mo -o- 1208 hrs. = 1.80/hr -o- 60 = .03/min. 
1, 104/mo -o- 174 = 6.34/hr -o- 60 = .105/min 

Costs/ 
Month 

$ 1,104 
9,622 
2,945 
6,123 
2,632 
1,560 
1,373 

$25,359 

5,676 
2,147 

$ 7,823 

9,622/mo -o- 11 = 875/mo -o- 174 = 5.03/hr -o- 60 = .084/min 
2,945/mo -o- 3 = 982/mo -o- 174 = 5.64/hr -o- 60 = .094/min 
6,123/mo -o- 5 = 1,225/mo -o- 174 = 7.04/hr -o- 60 = .117/min 
2,632/mo -o- 2 = 1,316/mo -o- 174 = 7.56/hr -o- 60 = .126/min 
1,560/mo -o- 174 = 8.97/hr -o- 60 = .149/min. 
1,373/mo -o- 174 = 7.89/hr -o- 60 = .13/min 
5,846/mo -o- 3.5 = 1,670/mo -o- 174 = 9.60/hr -o- 60 = .155/min 
2, 147/mo -o- 174 = 12.34/hr -o- 60 = .205/min. 

$ 2,174 
25,359 

7,823 

$35,356 



48 journal of Library Automation Vol. 14/ 1 March 1981 

Table 9 . Bibliographic Data Base Use Per Month (One Unit = One Access to or Process in Data 
Base) 

Category 

Searching 
Cataloging (Data Base Copy) 
Cataloging (Original Data Entry ) 
Authority Verification (317 x 7) 
Bibliographic Changes/Corrections 
ILL, REF, General 

Total Units 

WLN Terminal Service and Telecommunication Line Charges/ Month 
5 V2 terminals @ $140/mo = $770/mo 
5V2 lines @ $40/mo = 220/mo 

$990/mo 

Quantity of 
Te rminal Use 

10688 
1529 
3 17 

2219 
360 
537 

15650 

$990 + 15650 = $.06/terminal use for Cataloging and Book Proce ssing System 

Table 10 . Catalo ging and Book Processing System : Summary Comparison Costs by Function (Ex-
cluding Equipment Costs ) 

Function 

Manual System 
l. Bibliographic Searching 
2. Bibliographic Record Production (Cost of Catalog Cards Distribution) 

LC copy cataloging 
Modified copy cataloging 
Original cataloging 
Misce llane ous 

3. Bibliographic Record Maintenance 
4. Marking 

Total 

Automated System 
l. Bibliographic Searching 
2. Bibliographic Record Production (Cost of Catalog Cards Included) 

LC and CIP copy cataloging 
Modified copy cataloging 
Original cataloging 
Miscellaneous 

3. Bibliographic Record Maintenance 
4. Marking 

Total 

*Total of items listed below. 
tTotal of costs listed below. 

Number of 
Items 

5247 
[2263)* 
1057 
984 
222 
NA 
NA 
NA 

4480 
[2263 )* 
1529 
512 
222 
NA 
NA 
NA 

Costs Pe r 
Month 

$ 4 ,61 7 
[$13, 143)t 

4,092 
5,021 
3,343 

687 
6 ,402 
4 ,631 

$28 ,793 

$ 2, 170 
[$ll ,837)t 

4,900 
1,523 
3 ,343 
2,071 
4 , 194 
4 ,589 

$22,790 

system, eleven more staff and 1,365 more timeslip hours were needed 
per month to process the same amount of materials as is processed 
under the automated system . In fact, compared to the staff costs of both 
the manual and automated systems, the costs of equipment, data-base 
use (including products), terminal service, and telecommunication lines 



Cost Analysis/DRUSCHEL 49 

of the automated system are a relatively small percentage (27 percent) of 
the total cataloging and book processing costs . This analysis serves to 
underscore a basic reality of the current library organization: personnel 
is one of its largest expenditures and staff-intensive systems are very 
costly . 

This cost analysis has not directly addressed the issue of the quality of 
processing and products of either the manual or automated systems. The 
analysis suggests, however, that the automated system is more efficient 
in terms of staff time . Moreover, the TSD staff has found that not only 
can more be done with fewer staff, but the automated system also pro-
vides more accurate data and has the flexibility to accommodate with 
relative ease the many corrections and changes that must be made to 
the library's bibliographic files. 

Joselyn Druschel is assistant director for automation and technical support at the Wash-
ington State University Libraries . She is currently chairing a staff task force which is 
developing specifications for the Libraries' on-line catalog. ·