This essay reviews the library material selection process and explores the differences between selection and censorship. Removal of library materials, selection of materials for special interests, opinions of censorious groups, the balanced collection, and the librarian's responsibility are discussed. (EJS)

Highlights of a letter from Randolph G. Adams to Lawrence Clark Powell, written in 1938, which distilled Adams' fifteen years experience as a bookman and administrator of one of the great collections of Americana in the United States are presented. (4 references) (Author/SJ)

The importance of an up-to-date information file is discussed, using the quest for the name of Paul Revere's horse as an example. A list of Famous Riders and Their Horses'' is included as an indication of the type material to be included in an information file. (SM)

Reports on a study assessing the impact of the June 1973 and subsequent U.S. Supreme Court obscenity decisions on public and school libraries and trade bookstores. (Author/PF)

The rationale for developing a phone book collection is discussed and the procedures for building the collection are outlined. (SM)

The functions of, and materials in, the Playboy library are described. (SM)

Considers some important questions surrounding the deaccessioning of books and other materials from library collections: Should deaccessioned items be sold? How should materials for deaccessioning be selected? What are the channels for the sale of deaccessioned library materials? (JL)

Discussion of media in public libraries focuses on independent films and alternative video. Topics addressed include commercial films; film adaptations of novels; instructional films; material selection; cataloging; video technology; and a project in Indiana that tried to encourage public librarians to collect alternative videos. (LRW)

Although oceanography is included in most elementary school curricula, there are few easily read oceanography books for the school library. An annotated list of 70 recommended titles is included. (PF)

Describes the Berg Collection of the New York Public Library, a special collection of 19th- and 20th-century English and American literature, written by the daughter of the collection's first curator. The development of the collection by the Berg brothers is described, and growth and expansion of the collection is discussed. (LRW)

Discusses the Special Collections at the State University of New York at Buffalo and the role of Charles Abbott in their development. His interest and a serendipitous lack of funds have created an unusual collection containing a Twentieth Century Poetry Collection, James Joyce holographs, and rare book collections. (CHC)

Describes travel guidebooks as the backbone of library travel collections. Guidebooks for students and others on restricted budgets are discussed; the benefits of visiting and understanding other cultures are considered; selection guidelines are suggested; travel information in electronic formats is described; and sidebars list guidebook series…

Contains an introduction (Jean Thibodeaux Kreamer) to this section and five articles on video in libraries: "Managing an Integrated Video Collection" (Michael Hedges); "The Video Librarian's Hide and Seek: Videotapes and Collection Development" (Merle Slyhoff); "Video in the Schools" (Charles Triche); "A Conversation with Sally Mason" (James…

Describes services of Educational Products Information Exchange Institute, a nonprofit organization operating on the campus of Teachers College at Columbia University (New York City) that provides comprehensive assessment tools for educators. Included are software reviews based on detailed analysis, an educational television series on computers,…