图书馆和其它机构一样,要求高效率的管理。正如穆斯(Morse)所指出的:“不管图书馆过去是否是这样管理,现代图书馆显然已不能象过去那样单纯的贮藏一些出版物。“图书馆已成为一个复杂的系统,要求精确的管理。运筹学作为一种重要的管理工具,不仅能够帮助图书馆管理者有效地利用所有可得的资源;同时运筹学也是一种能帮助研究人员更好地熟悉图书馆和情报服务的分析工具。 Like other agencies, libraries require efficient management. As Morse points out: “No matter if the library was managed in the past, it is clear that modern libraries can not simply stockpile some of their publications as they used to be.” Libraries have become a complex system that requires precise management . Operational research, as an important management tool, not only helps library managers make effective use of all available resources, but also is an analytical tool that helps researchers become better acquainted with libraries and information services.