Presents a 1992 study which discovered and investigated collection development bias in academic and public libraries in California. The investigation was carried out in five stages: (1) selected a controversial topic; (2) identified representative works; (3) ranked works by qualified judges; (4) measured holdings via library online computer…

This essay on library book selection critiques Nora Rawlinson's article on practices at the Baltimore County Public Library which appeared in Library Journal, November 15, 1981, p. 2188, and discusses library circulation statistics in relation to book selection. (EJS)

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)

A case study based on theories of loose coupling and loosely coupled systems focuses on the relationship between librarians and faculty who share collection development responsibilities. Data indicates that areas of collaboration at a public comprehensive university library center more on procedures of collection development than on substantive…

Shows how a well-respected collection development tool contains ideological frames, using the "Public Library Catalog" (PLC) as an example. Evaluation by library science graduate students indicate that the PLC makes recommendations that have an imbalance of perspectives, overemphasize a particular facet or theory within a field, lack authority,…

This essay addressing problems of library collection weeding suggests that as countermeasure to damage already done, every public library should establish a substantial American Heritage collection of classic Anglo-American authors up to 1900. Inexperienced librarians, rare books and historic preservation, patron complaints, interlibrary loan, and…

The importance of an up-to-date information file is discussed, using the quest for the name of Paul Revere's horse as an example. A list of Famous Riders and Their Horses'' is included as an indication of the type material to be included in an information file. (SM)

Discusses the link between adequately developed, current school library collections and better student achievement and highlights the importance of having students become successful critical readers. Offers suggestions for encouraging reading, including knowing the materials in the collection, knowing the students to meet their needs, building on…

Suggests authors, titles, and resources in the area of Christian fiction to assist librarians in the selection of adult, young adult, and children's materials. A list of Christian fiction book publishers and journal sources that review these works is appended. (21 references) (MES)

Discusses oral history interviews in terms of selection criteria, identification, storage conditions, and duplication. (CHC)

Reports on a study assessing the impact of the June 1973 and subsequent U.S. Supreme Court obscenity decisions on public and school libraries and trade bookstores. (Author/PF)

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)

Examines growing literature of paranormal phenomena and other areas of investigation that are in conflict with mainstream science, and considers reasons for this growth and similarities which link these areas together within realm of pseudoscience. The dilemma librarians face in dealing with pseudoscientific materials is considered. Forty-nine…

The rationale for developing a phone book collection is discussed and the procedures for building the collection are outlined. (SM)