Operations research is a scientific and systematic approach to decision-making that uses mathematical, statistical and analytical techniques to solve complex management problems. It helps managers identify the best possible course of action from a number of available alternatives while making effective use of limited resources. In simple terms, operations research provides a rational basis for deciding what should be done, how it should be done, and how resources can be utilized most efficiently. It is particularly useful in organizations where decisions involve several competing objectives, limited funds, manpower, time and facilities. In library and information centres, operations research can be applied to improve the planning, organization, control and evaluation of various library services and activities. The basic purpose of operations research in a library is to achieve maximum efficiency and effectiveness with the resources available. Libraries generally have limited budgets, staff, space, equipment and time, while the demands of users continue to increase. Operations research enables library managers to analyse these limitations scientifically and select alternatives that provide the greatest benefit to users. It can therefore support both routine operational decisions and long-term managerial planning. One important application is in collection development. A library has to decide which books, journals, databases and other information resources should be acquired within a limited budget. Operations research techniques can help compare the cost, demand, usage and value of different resources. For example, circulation statistics, user requirements and cost data can be analysed to determine which materials should receive priority. In the case of periodicals and electronic databases, cost-benefit analysis can help librarians determine whether the level of use justifies the subscription cost. This assists the library in allocating its acquisition budget more rationally. Operations research can also be applied to the management of library manpower. Staff are one of the most important resources of a library, and their effective deployment directly affects service quality. A library manager has to decide how many employees should be assigned to circulation, reference, cataloguing, classification, acquisition, digital services and other activities. Techniques such as work measurement, workload analysis and linear programming can help determine an appropriate distribution of staff. If user demand is particularly high during certain hours, staff schedules can be adjusted accordingly. This reduces unnecessary idle time and prevents excessive