An analysis is conducted of economic issues pertinent to library planning in higher education in the face of rising costs and diminishing financial support. The individual chapters deal with: 1) growth rates in large university libraries; 2) library costs in colleges and universities; 3) cost trends and long-range plans; 4) library data; and 5) a summary of the data analysis. The general focus is upon the statistical analysis of the major quantifiable variables involved in library operations and of the interrelationships among these variables. Variables examined include: total enrollment, volumes held, volumes per student, volumes added per student, total personnel, professional staff, professional staff as a percentage of total personnel, non-professional staff, total expenditures, expenditures per student, salaries and wages as a percentage of total expenditures, book expenditures, and book expenditures as a percentage of total expenditures. Formulas and procedures which assist in growth projections and budget planning are provided, and possible fundamental changes in the nature of library functions and procedures are considered. (Author/PB)