Discusses the theoretical value of national bibliographies as a library material selection tool and evaluates African national bibliographies using four criteria--comprehensiveness, thorough and reliable bibliographic data, currency, and directory of publishers. It is concluded that there is a significant gap between the theoretical and actual…

This discussion focuses on the problems involved in the interpretation and verification of the data gathered and presented by the North American Collections Inventory Project. It suggests that the National Shelflist Count is a better resource for collection management and shared library resources decisions. (CLB)

Planning for customer-focused library services requires a reexamination of the business and customers. Libraries must continually collect and evaluate data about the community they serve to accommodate ever-changing needs. (AEF)

Collecting full-text CD-ROMs for a humanities library requires an examination of literary research and the way literature is taught. It is within this context that selectors must establish selection criteria and develop plans for promoting use of these new resources. Includes a checklist of literary and technical criteria for selection. (Contains…

Applies content analysis to compare assessments of 153 titles in U.S. history, each reviewed in "Choice,""American Historical Review," and "Journal of American History" between 1988 and 1995. A numerical rating system is used to quantify reviewers' overall opinions and their use of specific evaluative criteria. (Author/LRW)

Discusses issues involved in the allocation of book funds in academic libraries. The topics covered include faculty versus librarian control of book budgets, evaluation criteria and measurement techniques that have been used to determine allocations, and the problems with rigid mathematical approaches to allocations. (35 notes with references)…

Examines arguments in favor of membership in the Center for Research Libraries in light of changing collections and services, the cooperative collection development environment, and the needs of research libraries. The discussion covers classic arguments for participation and methods for assessing the value of four membership benefits. (76 notes…

Discusses the need for ongoing evaluation within high school libraries to ensure adequate library services, which, in turn, enhance the total educational program. The evaluation of library facilities, collections, and staff is discussed, and an annotated bibliography of evaluation tools is provided. (6 references) (CLB)

Selection of electronic resources--CD-ROMs, dial access databases, electronic journals, and World Wide Web products--requires a more extensive set of criteria than do print resources. Discusses two factors influencing collection development of electronic products: technology options and licensing issues, and outlines how traditional selection…

How do academic libraries set about creating a body of knowledge and begin to convert traditional print collections to a digital format in order to satisfy what today's researchers want? This article examines previous methods of selection and collection building, and applies those supporting principles to today's collection-building efforts for…

This document reports on an assessment of the Jacksonville State University's Houston Cole Library collection that employed a variety of methodologies and tools, including list-checking, direct collection examination, shelflist measurement and analysis, WLN (Washington Library Network) conspectus sheets, analysis of OCLC/AMIGOS Collection Analysis…

Designed as a simple how-to guide, this handbook presents guidelines for setting up a church or synagogue library or revitalizing an existing one. The first of 10 sections, "Begin with a Purpose," advocates thinking about the goals of the library and putting them in writing. It includes two brief sample mission statements. The second, "Establish…

The introduction to this Systems and Procedures Exchange Center (SPEC) kit explains the Conspectus method, which was developed in 1980 by the Research Libraries Group (RLG) as a means of systematically and qualitatively evaluating large library collections. The discussion considers advantages and disadvantages of this tool, which evaluates past…

Examines issues related to CD-ROM collections in libraries, including CD-ROMs versus the Internet and other online sources; types of CD-ROMS, including periodical databases, reference databases, and multimedia CD-ROMs; local area networks for CD-ROMs; evaluation criteria for selection; collection development; ordering; curriculum support;…

Issues in the management of library collections of electronically delivered information are discussed, focusing on the library at Troy State University (Alabama). Because of the library's selective depository status, expensive compact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM) products are received, which the library could not normally afford. At the Troy…