Loan  periods  are  normally  30  days  from  the date  of  receipt  of  books  by  borrowers.  Renewals may  be  requested  and  will  be  granted  if  other requests  for  the  books  are  not  on  file.  Requests for  renewal  should  reach  the  ALSC  prior  to  the expiration   of   the   loan   period.   Borrowers   are responsible  for  the  care  of  materials,  for  their safe  return,  and  for  the  reimbursement  of  the Government  for  lost,  damaged,  or  destroyed materials. SHIPBOARD  LIBRARY  RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Religious  Program  Specialists  must  be  able to  manage  shipboard  library  resources  effec- tively.   Effective   library   resource   management can   achieve   maximum   utilization   of   library spaces,   equipment,   facilities,   collections,   staff, and funds in military situations where change is a  constant  factor.  Planning  at  all  levels  for library  development  should  reflect  both  short- and   long-range   objectives,   budget   cycles, changes  in  activity  mission  and  logistic  support responsibilities, departmental-wide    programs, and advances in professional library technology, materials, and services. Management Records To ensure the effective use of library staff, to assist  in  establishing  library  program  priorities, and  in  developing  library  collections  and  serv- ices,  reliable  data  are  required  for  the  analysis and  evaluation  of  library  functions  and  internal controls.  Such  data  should  be  current  and available  for  required  management  reports. SHIPBOARD   LIBRARY   RECORDS.– Commands  afloat  are  encouraged  to  require regular  management  reports  on  operations  and use of ship general libraries. Regional librarians assist in establishing necessary reports, records, and  files,  Basic  simplified  records  and  files  for library  operations  and  for  managing  library resources  include: Catalogs  and  inventory  lists  of  library materials in the collection (see Chapter 9 of the General  Library  Manual). Card  shelf  list  of  library  materials  (hard- bound   books,   audiovisual   materials)   consti- tuting  the  official  inventory  record  of  a  library collection. Circulation  records  for  library  materials. Records  of  magazines  and  newspapers ordered  and  received. Copies of  Naval  General  Library  Manual (NAVEDTRA  38021),  and  a  file  of  the  Naval General  Library  Services  News  Memorandum. Files  of  technical  guidance  visit  reports and   other   correspondence   from   the   naval regional  librarian,  CNET,  and  NETPDC. Copies   of   stock   and   special   order requests for library materials. Local  ship’s  library  directive. SHIP LIBRARY FACILITIES The  library  officer  and  the  RP  have  a  major role in the development of attractive, functional library facilities. Assistance in this area may be provided  by  naval  regional  librarians. The  library  should  provide  secure  facilities for  the  library’s  collections,  adequate  space  for processing   and   administering   the   library’s resources, and   pleasant   and   comfortable seating,  study,  listening,  and  viewing  areas  for library users. Shipboard  Libraries The importance of libraries aboard ships has been  officially  recognized  since  the  early  1800s. Today,   the   Department   of   the   Navy   through habitability  baseline  criteria  for  all  new  ship designs  and  for  major  ship  conversions  and through  habitability  improvement  programs  to upgrade   library   facilities   on   existing   ships   is establishing  guides  for  the  physical  layout  and equipping of shipboard libraries. The intent is to encourage  better  use  of  available  space  and  to promote  the  library  as  a  multimedia  learning center. 8-25