The role of public services librarians in collection development is examined in light of changes being brought to libraries by finances, cooperation, and information access. Highlights include situation in academic and special libraries, attributes of successful reference librarians and choices affecting collection developing, collection…

Describes methods for stretching a popular adult library materials budget. Highlights include prepurchase evaluation and selection; acquisitions; fund raising to support selection funds; distribution; weeding; promotion; and lobbying. (Author/AEF)

Reports results of survey investigating aspects of weeding of materials in reference collections at 377 U.S. colleges and universities: existence of written policy or unwritten weeding practice; extent of weeding; frequency; what happens to discards; effect of shelf space, staff time, and use of materials on weeding decisions. (5 references) (EJS)

A survey of heads of academic library reference services gathered information on reference collection development. Findings included: (1) selection and weeding frequently are not guided by written policies; (2) empirical studies of use are almost nonexistent; and (3) online availability of sources is an important factor in selection. (20…

These guidelines developed by the Genealogy Committee of the History Section of the Reference and Adult Services Division of the American Library Association are intended to assist public libraries providing beginning genealogical collections and services. They cover collection development, personnel, access, and fiscal considerations. (EA)

This discussion of collection management techniques emphasizes planning, collection strategies, and active selection. It is argued that policies and methodologies for applying collection management principles to reference collections are needed, and briefly describes the recently created Collection Development and Evaluation Section of the…

Discusses how to develop library collections for Spanish-speaking users based on a presentation at the 1994 ALA (American Library Association) annual convention in Miami Beach (Florida). Highlights include selection and acquisition tools, reviewing media, vendors, keeping collections current, distributors and booksellers, administrative and…

Discussion of the connection between bibliographic instruction and collection development from a management perspective focuses on a project of data collection and analysis developed at the University of Colorado at Denver's Auraria Library. Information on individual disciplines is compiled and analyzed, and a needs assessment for bibliographic…

Seven articles on library reference services highlight reference obsolescence in academic libraries, major studies of unobtrusive reference tests, methods for evaluating reference desk performance, reference interview evaluation, problems of reference desk control, online searching by end users, and reference collection development in…

Explores how public libraries have dealt with the AIDS epidemic, examines the publication of articles on AIDS in periodicals and books, and reports the results of a survey of public libraries that was conducted to determine when and how librarians have responded to information needs on the AIDS epidemic. (Contains 11 references.) (LRW)

A study of the collection of college catalogs at a medium-sized university library found that they are used by many types of clients in addition to undergraduates; users need a current, comprehensive collection and are not bothered by a lack of shelf order; use is enough to justify the collection. (Author/EM)

Discusses kinds of problems public librarians encounter in the process of providing legal and health information. Data are compared from two surveys of reference librarians who provide legal and health information services in Ontario (Canada) public libraries, and implications for collection development are suggested. (17 references) (LRW)

Discusses the need to incorporate interlibrary loan statistics into library collection development decisions and describes the Interlibrary Loan Records Keeping System (ILLRKS), a software package for the management of interlibrary loan records. The strengths and weaknesses of ILLRKS are examined, particularly with regard to collection development…

Summarizes the results of a survey of 200 public libraries and AIDS service agencies that was conducted to investigate the willingness of library directors to establish AIDS information services and the extent of cooperation between libraries and AIDS service agencies. Community responses are discussed, and implications for future development are…

Basis for systematic computerization of academic research library's reference, collection development, and collection management functions emphasizes productivity enhancement for librarians and support staff. Use of microcomputer and university's mainframe computer to develop applications of database management systems, electronic spreadsheets,…