The "College and University Libraries" machine-readable data file (MRDF) is one component of the larger "Higher Education General Information Survey" (HEGIS). It contains data on the characteristics and activities of approximately 3,000 academic libraries associated with most of the institutions of higher education in the United States (and its outlying areas). Since 1966, this survey has collected information either annually, biennially, or (as now) triennially. Data for each of the libraries is grouped around the broad categories of holdings, staffing, activities, and finances. Variables included under the heading of holdings are: number of periodical subscriptions, number of books, number of government documents, number of microforms, number of audiovisual materials. Costs are available in each category for the immediate past year and for cumulative total. Variables included under the heading of staffing are: number of administrative librarians, other librarians, other professionals, technical staff, and clerical staff. Counts for each category of staff are subdivided by men/women and full-time/part-time. The total annual salaries or wages are available for each group. Student assistance hours charged to the library are also collected. Variables included under the heading of library activities are: number of items circulated; number of interlibrary loans provided and received; total reference transactions; total group programs offered and the number of persons participating; total days and hours of library service. Variables included under the heading of finances are: total expenditures for salaries and wages, fringe benefits, and student assistance; total expenditures for books, periodicals, microforms, audiovisual materials, and other library materials; total funds the library received from the Federal Government. POPULATION: College and university libraries (3,000). TYPE OF SURVEY: Census Survey; National Survey. RESPONDENTS: Survey coordinators for higher education institutions. FREQUENCY: Triennial. YEAR OF FIRST DATA: 1968. (CDM/WTB)