Reviews the advantages and disadvantages of several publishers' offerings of classic literature titles often purchased by libraries. Four hardcover choices and five paperback choices are compared in terms of price; authenticity of text, including introductory notes; and quality of production, including binding and type size. (LRW)

Discusses objective and subjective standards for library selection of new periodicals. Twenty-four recommended magazines published for the first time in 1986 or 1987 are reviewed under subject headings which included satire, lifestyles, life and art, comics, health, and literary criticism and music. Ordering information for the magazines is…

Provides an annotated bibliography of audiocassette tapes for instruction in 16 foreign languages. Methods of language instruction are discussed; differences in the target audience are considered, including tourists and business people; and guidelines for developing a library collection of language tapes are suggested. (LRW)

This list of 101 compact disc jazz recordings recommended for library acquisition includes brief annotations. (MES)

Suggests an adult nonfiction video collection for the librarian who is starting or upgrading nonfiction video holdings. Selection criteria are explained and guidelines for choosing vendors are included. Arranged by subject, the collection includes brief descriptions, and a list of distributors and wholesalers/retailers is provided. (EM)

The Deputy Librarian of Congress responds to a Library Journal editorial on the Library of Congress' role in the development of the diethyl zinc process in preservation technology. Safety issues, DEZ as prototype, progress and success claims, deciding which books to save, and why DEZ should be used are explained. (EM)

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,…

Presents results of price survey of periodicals published in the United States and serial services. Tables are organized by subject categories to show number of titles included in the survey, rank order by average subscription price, and price increases. (LRW)

Discusses library services to gay and lesbian patrons. Topics addressed include heterosexist prejudices; information needs of gay and lesbian patrons; censorship; inadequate indexing of lesbian and gay materials; inappropriate subject headings; reviews of pertinent materials; interlibrary loan; and services to children and young adults. (LRW)

This discussion of the role of video in the public library reflects on the nature of the video market in 1987 and discusses how to buy feature, nontheatrical, and children's videocassettes. A source list for reviews and acquisitions is included. (EM)

This fourth annual annotated list was compiled by the Notable Documents Committee of the American Library Association's Government Documents Round Table. It includes federal, international, and state documents published two years prior to the date of the list that are considered notable based on 10 criteria. A source list is included. (EM)

Discusses the change of library music collections from long-playing (LP) recordings to compact discs (CD). Highlights include the drawbacks of LPs, disc prices and players, sound quality, logistics, selection of recordings, and a renewed commitment to sound recording facilities and collections. Ten sources are given. (EJS)

This article presents results of a survey of 100 U.S. libraries focusing on their audio and video collections. Discussion covers genre or type of video collected, popular feature video titles, nonfeature films, nationwide jobbers and wholesalers and local distributors of audios and videos, and popular audiocassettes (how-to, motivational tapes).…

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…

Describes a project in which a library's circulation figures were used as a basis for weeding out inactive items. The findings of the project are used to provide guidelines for purchasing library materials and making recommendations on rebound books, security systems, and promotion of classics and core titles. (CLB)