Explores the relationship between collection development and the system of scholarly communication in academic libraries. Ownership of versus access to information is discussed; use-based criteria are considered; and strategies for collection development in a networked electronic system are presented. (Contains 17 references.) (LRW)

Surveys the history of Indian immigration to the United States and the development of Indian collections in academic, public, and special libraries. Library services to Indian populations are discussed, with descriptions of specific collections, and suggestions are given to improve services and collections. (SLD)

This symposium report includes seven papers that address issues concerning the North American Collections Inventory Project (NCIP) Conspectus sponsored by the Research Libraries Group (RLG). Topics discussed include cooperative collection development; rigor and research in library and information science; decision making and uncertainty; and data…

Describes a cooperative collection development program implemented by the Network of Alabama Academic Libraries (NAAL) to strengthen resources available for graduate education and research. Topics discussed include funding collection development, the formula for the equitable distribution of funds, research support, and other related activities.…

Reviews and describes the current crisis in science literacy and formulates an information-based definition of the term. Library issues and concerns are discussed, including the role of librarians in defining the information-seeking behavior of science-literate users, describing users' characteristics, and evaluating and applying appropriate…

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…

Discussion of the rising costs of academic library materials and their effects on collection development focuses on the social science collection. It is suggested that combining the numerical weights used by the Research Libraries Group Conspectus to evaluate subject collections with estimates of publication production and changes provides a…

Five articles discuss information technology in libraries: (1) "Software for Libraries" (Katharine Phenix); (2) "Online Update: European Online Services" (Martin Kesselman); (3) "Connect Time: Online Pricing Breakthroughs" (Barbara Quint); (4) "Microcomputing: Micro Biology Computer Viruses" (James LaRue);…

Discusses weeding as part of the school library collection-building process. Topics addressed include criteria for making weeding decisions, including copyright date, last date of use, physical appearance, and timeliness; meeting students' needs; weeding audiovisual materials; and developing a plan for weeding. A sidebar describes special…

Discusses consortium-based licensing as a means of meeting libraries' information resources needs. Topics include information needs, the need for more affordable information, requirements for libraries and for vendors, competition across disciplines, saving money, pricing and market practices, experiences at OhioLINK, and future possibilities.…

Discusses virtual libraries in corporate settings from the viewpoint of five special librarians. Highlights include competitive advantage, space and related collection issues, the use of technology, corporate culture, information overload, library vulnerability and downsizing, and the importance of service over format. (LRW)

Analyzes aspects of proposed federal legislation which is attempting to reform portions of Title 44, "United States Code". Senate bill S.2288 charges the Government Printing Office (GPO) with responsibility for government printing, procurement, and dissemination. Includes a definition of government publication, GPO's depository-library…

Reviews two projects incorporating document delivery into ready reference and acquisitions and provides an analysis of four major document-delivery vendors, as part of a research project funded by the University of Montana (Missoula) Faculty Grant Program and the Mansfield Library. Findings support integration of document delivery within a…

Discusses how collection-development librarians can customize their workstations by building a Web page to cover public service and outreach efforts to constituencies, links to tools to enable selectors to use the Web and work more efficiently, and selection of Web resources. Describes Web sites in the three categories of communication with…

Argues that the difficulty and expense of preserving digital information is a potential impediment to digital library development. Discusses the present state of digital preservation, articulates requirements for users and custodians, and suggests research topics in storage media, migration, conversion, and overall management strategies. (DSK)