Describes results of a survey that was conducted to compile statistical data on collection growth and library expenditures in academic libraries. Data from liberal arts college libraries are compared with data from members of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), library statistics are discussed, and significant trends are described. (32…

Discusses collection development policy as means to express and systematize guidelines for collection building that fulfill three basic functions: the referential, the generative, the rhetorical. Division of policy into subject categories, and use of "collection levels" to rank the collection and collecting effort for each subject are…

Studies characteristics of a multilateral cooperative selection program for small rare book collections and describes success of such a program at University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and University of North Carolina-Greensboro. Highlights include five guidelines as prerequisites to formal agreement and a cooperative collection development…

This study examined circulation and inhouse use of 13,029 randomly selected volumes--both serials and monographs in all subject areas--in a university library over a 7-year period. Results challenged inference of internal use from circulation figures and the appropriateness of weeding based on lack of circulation alone. A 26-item chronological…

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…

Explores the role of the academic rare book library in terms of its financial justification and concludes that the primary justification lies in its utility as a research library. It is also concluded that institutions unable to support a proper rare book collection might be advised to develop appropriate special collections instead. (19…

Approval plans challenge library boundaries, require consensus on collection development priorities, cooperation among library departments, and a close partnership with the vendor. Few concrete performance standards exist, and effectiveness is difficult to measure. Vendors will play an active role in the evolution of approval plans, though…

Reports on acquisitions of selected Western European political science materials deemed important for inclusion in at least one North American research library. The percentages of French, Italian, Swedish, Catalan, Icelandic, and Belgian materials not found in RLIN (Research Libraries Information Network) and OCLC are provided. Factors supporting…

Describes ways in which collection development at the Smithsonian Institution Libraries has been affected by the libraries' position within a museum context. The discussion covers the adoption by the libraries of a nomenclature that applies to management of museum objects collections and their capitalization on allied interests in such areas as…

Provides a case study from the 1930s to the present of cooperative collection development at the Research Triangle university libraries (North Carolina). The rationale and principles for successful cooperation, types of cooperation that work best for different subjects and kinds of materials, and factors that promote long-term cooperation are…

This essay suggests that conversation, crucial for human life in society and intrinsic to nature of libraries, may be the appropriate model for providing guidance, means, and context for change in academic librarianship. The business model, missions and goals, collection development, bibliographic instruction, and organizational considerations are…

A survey of heads of collection development in 104 academic libraries was conducted to determine usefulness of information sources on curriculum change for selectors and extent of library involvement in planning such changes. Procedures developed at University of New Mexico and other universities are highlighted. Questionnaire is appended. (24…

Describes a study that measures and analyzes the map collections of Association of Research Libraries (ARL) using data from 1984 and 1988. Size of collections and growth rate are examined, and a composite index is used to rank the map collections to determine whether maps receive the same attention as other materials. (14 references) (LRW)

Describes survey of 500 academic business libraries undertaken to gather information on practices in acquisition, use, retention, and storage of domestic and foreign corporate annual reports, and policies related to their circulation and cataloging. Options for libraries collecting these materials are proposed. Institutions in subset are listed.…

Describes methodology for analyzing MARC (machine-readable cataloging) records of highly circulating titles to document common characteristics for collection development purposes. Application of the methodology in a university library is discussed, and data are presented on commonality of subject heading, author, language, and imprint date for…