Abstract
M. Inf.
Corporate library and information services were typically created in order to further
the operational objectives of a parent organisation. The continued existence of
corporate libraries was seen to be subject to management perceptions of value of its
services. This study investigated strategies to measure the value of information
services in the specialised environment of the South African incorporated law firm.
Methodologies were developed to arrive at the unit cost of information and of the
information services in an organisation at a particular period. A cost per practitioner
value was calculated in order to correlate data relating to the information spending at
seven South African law firms. Attempts were made to relate the unit cost of the
information services at one law firm to the use that was made of the services. The
potential for cost recovery and determination of return on capital employed were also
investigated. These strategies were seen to have value as management tools for the
information services but they failed to demonstrate the value of the investment. The
study thereafter approached the problem of evaluation from the perspective of
accountability. Certain accepted business practices were investigated with regard to
their relevance to corporate support services. An information services audit was
proposed in accordance with a recognised management process.