Discusses the change of library music collections from long-playing (LP) recordings to compact discs (CD). Highlights include the drawbacks of LPs, disc prices and players, sound quality, logistics, selection of recordings, and a renewed commitment to sound recording facilities and collections. Ten sources are given. (EJS)

Discussion of formulating a collection development policy for audiovisual materials in academic libraries highlights reasons for collecting media, audiovisual equipment, audiovisual forms collected, films, video, computer software. "Undergraduate Libraries Newsletter" statistics reporting audiovisual holdings (audiocassettes, films, video,…

This document describes a collection assessment made of the Economics and Finance holdings at Ward Edwards Library at Central Missouri State University (CMSU). The assessment is divided into three parts: (1) books, (2) serials, and (3) standing orders/reference materials. In addition to standard collection development sources such as…

The purpose of this policy is to outline those principles that guide the development of the Reference Collection at the Calvin T. Ryan Library, University of Nebraska at Kearney. It clarifies, records, and makes public the basic principles that the members of the Reference Department believe should be applied in adding items to or withdrawing…

This paper addresses organization and management issues related to library material selection and acquisitions in the digital age, based on the author's experiences at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill library. The first part of the paper focuses on selection. The following principles of selection are discussed: (1) developing a…

Reviews the research on maintaining information currency in reference collections. Discusses age versus use; continuity of maintenance; problems with irregularly published works; manual maintenance methods; computer-assisted methods; assignment of responsibility; and collection management/maintenance policies. Suggests how to improve reference…

Examines the history of abridged audio publishing 10 years after the formation of the Audio Publishers Association. Topics include abridged versus unabridged versions for bookstores and libraries; vendors and publishers; future possibilities for CDs and DVD (Digital Versatile Disc); and audio leasing for libraries. (LRW)

Discusses reasons for including sports books in school library reference collections, explains why they should not be found only in public library collections, and provides six annotated bibliographies of sports books suitable for intermediate or middle school library collections. (LRW)

Defines book display as an adult service as choosing and positioning adult books from the library collection to increase their circulation. The author contrasts bookstore arrangement for sales versus library arrangement for access, including contrasting missions, genre grouping, weeding, problems, and dimensions. (Author/LRW)

Reports on a 1995 survey of Wisconsin academic libraries regarding collection development practices for languages and literature. Results suggest that faculty control selection; approval plans have not taken over from personal selection; and local demand is emphasized over presumed quality as suggested by review magazines. (LRW)

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…

Describes a study that examined the selection process used by two inmate/library assistants to develop Hispanic and African ethnic collections in a prison library. The findings of the study are used to develop a selection process model for the development of ethnic collections using the expertise of ethnic inmate/library assistants. (25…

Indicates ways in which resources for educational advising as a special library operation can be systematically developed. Six groups of advising resources, both print and nonprint, are included: college and university guides and directories, background or support works for American higher education, specialized guides and directories, guides…

Discussion of preservation of and access to information and knowledge focuses on selection decisions that libraries make. Topics addressed include a decrease in funding; collection development; preservation processes, including reformatting into digital data; private collections; unpurchased current publications; new electronic technologies;…

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…