Describes how to prepare and implement budgets and discusses the implications of budgeting and financial management activities for staff and governing boards. Prentice describes data-gathering methodologies such as cost studies, cost-benefit analysis, and unit cost development. She outlines the various budget designs such as line-time, program, and performance-based budgeting, and discusses the purposes and appropriateness of each to a particular environment. Case studies by libraries using a particular format are provided where available, and sample formats for the major types of budgets are included. The capital budget with its special applications is described separately. Appropriation-seeking activities are discussed according to the present or potential source of funding. The final chapter examines future directions in the relationship of planning to budgeting activities.

Praise for the first edition:
"Prentice's approach to sound financial planning is based on judicious utilization of available resources... pertinent reading for all library directors." —BOOKLIST

"This is an important text for those persons involved in planning and funding library services." —JOURNAL OF ACADEMIC LIBRARIANSHIP

"An excellent addition to the professional library or information center manager's library." —SPECIAL LIBRARIES

"...was probably the first and is still the best book on the use of the library budget in the long-range planning process." —THE BOTTOM LINE