RLI 280 Research Library Trends: A Historical Picture of Services, Resources, and Spending 24 SEPTEMBER 2012 RESEARCH LIBRARY ISSUES: A QUARTERLY REPORT FROM ARL, CNI, AND SPARC Figure 4. Expenditures Trends in ARL libraries, 1986–2011 Figure 4 shows that total library expenditures (unadjusted for inflation) returned to 2008 levels in 2011. Operating and library materials expenditures increased while salaries continued to decline for the second year in a row. The annual consumer price index (CPI), included in Figure 4, provides a comparative reference for the increases in library expenditures. -25% 25% 75% 125% 175% 225% 275% 325% 375% 425% 2010 2007 2004 2001 1998 1995 1992 1989 1986 Monograph Expenditures (+71%) CPI (+106%) Operating Expenditures (+128%) Total Salaries (+153%) TOTAL Expenditures (+188%) Library Materials (+302%) Serial Expenditures (+402%)