Core-reference collections are the small number of sources which meet the basic needs of all libraries, and the purpose of this guide is to assist libraries in the selection, acquisition, and use of these resources. Section I, structured like an annotated bibliography, focuses on the selection of those works which should constitute the main…

This expanded edition provides new information about successfully managing library acquisitions. Chapters include: "Acquisitions, the Organization, and the Future" (Carol Pitts Diedrichs and Karen A. Schmidt); "The Business of Book Publishing" (Patricia Glass Schuman and Charles Harmon); "The Business of Scholarly Journal Publishing" (Gary J.…

This manual for the College of the Southwest (New Mexico) library delineates collection development policies and procedures for library and teaching faculty. The first section deals with collection development and maintenance responsibilities: knowledge of the collection; knowledge of college and course needs; library materials budget allocations;…

Identifies resources to aid librarians in making material selections, including: discussion groups to review books; student and teacher recommendations; public library story hours and book review seminars; and professional association meetings. (CLB)

Describes possible sources of computer software, including hardware bundles, commercial suppliers, users groups, electronic bulletin boards, as payment for software review services, prototype contracts, and writing the software oneself. Advantages and disadvantages of each, especially in terms of technical support, are discussed. (CLB)

This collection development aid lists more than 10,000 titles of children's materials available in a variety of formats (in addition to print materials, the guide also includes sound recordings, video cassettes, microcomputer software programs, CD-ROM products, and videodiscs). This 20th anniversary edition contains several special features,…

This book serves as a manual for librarians and library students on the wide range of decisions and tasks related to bringing video material into the library collection. It outlines not only many of the milestones in the video industry from 1970 to 1994 but also many of the practices and trends in video marketing, pricing, and distribution. Advice…

Reports results of a survey of research university and community college faculty regarding perceived quality, estimated price, price-quality relationship, selection criteria, and publishers' policies for textbooks. Implications for librarians of the lack of faculty awareness of textbook prices is discussed. (Six references) (MES)

Noting that librarians have long debated whether specific library functions may, or should, be scientifically examined, or whether they constitute an art not susceptible to scientific study, this paper reviews and critiques attempts to develop models of library material selection using the theories and methods of scientific investigation. First,…

The purpose of this manual is to provide support for selectors as part of an intensive training program at the University of Tennessee (UT) Knoxville libraries to help balance selection decisions and to meet the needs of both undergraduates and researchers. The following major topics are addressed: (1) collection development at UT Knoxville…

This guide for selecting library materials for residents of state institutions is designed to help the institutional librarian who has special groups to serve and who does not have access to standard acquisition tools. The first section lists what information is necessary to order materials, provides samples of filled-in order forms, and mentions…

Describes the Pacific Northwest Conspectus Database, a regional resource assessment tool which includes information about library collections in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Use of the database by academic, public, and special librarians to better manage their collections and to coordinate planning and purchasing with other…

This SPEC kit is based on a June 1987 survey of approval plan use by 94 members of the Association of Research Libraries. It reports on the current practices of these libraries, the perceived advantages and disadvantages of using approval plans, and the effect of increased library materials costs and library automation on such plans. It is noted…

This Systems and Procedures Exchange Center (SPEC) Kit on serials control and deselection projects provides a timely review of the efforts of research libraries to control the increasing costs of serial subscriptions. This kit contains documents from 13 libraries: University of California at Los Angeles and Riverside; Universities of Florida,…

Reports on the third "Library Journal" survey of public and academic audiovisual specialists and media librarians, which focused on the long-term outlook for audiocassette and videocassette collections. The survey covered present and planned budgets, circulation growth, selection criteria, theft, damage, competition from local stores,…