Via an overview of core journal studies, emphasizing the social sciences and education, this review looks for best practices in both motivation and methodology. Selection decisions receive particular focus. Lack of correlation between methods is indicative of the complexity of the topic and the need for judgment in design and use. (Author)

Discussion of the importance of rock music as an expression of aural culture includes its history, rock music today, and the development of a rock music collection in the library (placement of collection and books which aid in developing a collection of permanent value). Three references are included. (EJS)

Discusses general findings reported in the literature of use and citation studies on the use of citation counts as found in "Journal Citation Reports" for identification of periodical titles for cancellation in a university library. Principal reasons for retention of little-cited journals are noted. Twenty-one references are cited. (EJS)

An examination of how well the Canadian public library is meeting the needs of the serious reader interested in self education, as compared to new and secondhand book stores and academic libraries, found that the public library is the most important and effective agency in providing materials for this group. (CLB)

Discussion of the nature of Experimental and avant garde music highlights the Western musical tradition, technological innovations having an impact on music (telephone, phonograph, tape recording), Third World influence, avant garde composer/musicians, and library collections. A 24-item discography, addresses of five record distributors, and a…

Discussion of increase in library collections of artists' books (artwork conceived in book form and designed entirely by artists) highlights reasons to collect artists' books, major collections, establishing a collection, housing and preservation, organization, outreach, and networking. Collection policy and procedures of Virginia Commonwealth…

This paper equates the variety of methods a social science bibliographer must use to build a useful and valuable research collection with the multiple approaches employed by detectives to solve crimes. Before presenting a sampling of strategies used by social science bibliographers, the paper defines the core disciplines of the social sciences…

Presents an overview of library collection evaluation techniques described in the literature--list-checking, quantitative analysis, use studies, and subject specialist review--and offers suggestions to the librarian for the application of these methods in an art library. Twenty-five references are provided. (EJS)

This critical evaluation of bibliographic aids in the field of Latin Americana outlines the content and value of six recent aids published in Mexico which are useful tools for acquisitions librarians, bookshops, and individuals and organizations. Full bibliographical details and addresses of lesser known publishers are given in footnotes. (EJS)

Selective review of the collection development literature for 1991 discusses the access versus ownership issue; organization, policy, and planning; budgets and finance; selection; assessment, weeding, and preservation; and special collections. (177 references) (MES)

Describes a study that investigated holdings of small publishers' books in OCLC libraries and selection procedures for these titles, including the influence of reviews, publishers, and vendors. Questionnaire responses from librarians and vendors are analyzed, and results indicating a significant relationship between holdings and reviews are…

Addresses importance of online databases as part of library reference collection and focuses on bibliographic databases (ready reference, print versus online migration, bibliographic utilities); selection/evaluation of online databases (vendor selection, individual databases); full-text databases; numeric databases; end-user searching; and use of…

Enumerates types of black popular music (work songs, spirituals, gospel music, blues, race records, rock and roll, soul, funk, disco, Caribbean, and African) and discusses collection development (current, retrospective, monographs, periodicals, sheet music, motion picture film, photographs, oral history), cataloging, and preservation. A 229-item…

A study to explore public librarians' attitudes and opinions concerning issues of intellectual freedom, collection balance, and controversial materials focused on the availability of Holocaust-denial literature. Results indicate that librarians, regardless of outside pressures, would provide access to this material. A copy of the survey is…

Urges reevaluation of historical role of college faculty in responsibility for book selection in academic libraries. Changing conditions make practice of faculty control of book selection and book funds increasingly suspect and selection process must be seen as responsibility of library faculty, aided and assisted by teaching faculty. (34…