Digitization benefits the users of special collections through increase in traditional use of materials, development of new avenues of research, and the appearance of new types of research using rare books and manuscripts. It challenges the relative value given to paper originals of rare materials as digital holdings increase. Special collections…

This volume is the pilot issue of the "Transforming Libraries" series, a quarterly subseries of SPEC (the Systems and Procedures Exchange Center of the Association of Research Libraries). Each issue will focus on a different application or aspect of library technology. This issue discusses electronic reserves. It is divided into five…

Several specialists in rare books and manuscripts discuss new developments in the commodification of manuscripts and archival material and the implications these have for acquisition, preservation, and broad utilization. (Author)

Examines traditional conceptions of a library collection, and reveals four major presumptions associated with collections: tangibility, ownership, a user community, and an integrated retrieval mechanism. Explores challenges posed by media, and proposes an expanded concept of collection that considers the perspectives of both user and collection…

Outlines a method for establishing a depreciated value of a library collection and includes an example of applying the formula for calculating depreciation. The method is based on the useful life of books, other print, and audio visual materials; their original cost; and on sampling subsets or sections of the collection. (JKP)

Provides a methodology for evaluating title coverage of full-text periodical databases in relation to a library's print journal collection. Presents a pretest of that methodology along with a discussion of collection development principles for an effective evaluation of full-text databases. (Author)

In response to technological advances, future libraries will blend new technologies with traditional information resources by partitioning collections into various formats including print, nonprint, electronic, computerized, media, and video. In effect the library will be "freezing" portions of collections in their most appropriate formats based…

Traditionally, archivists have been involved mainly in the intellectual preservation of library materials and the selection, appraisal, processing, and cataloging of library collections. Due to the relatively short (approximately 50 years) stability of the paper commonly used for printed and written documents since the mid-nineteenth century, the…

Considers the challenges that licensing for electronic products are creating for academic libraries. Discusses ownership of versus access to information; packaging of electronic journals; cost-benefit analysis; multiple versions of the same information, e.g. print and electronic; consortial agreements; negotiating; legal issues; and the question…

Includes 21 articles that discuss collection development in Canadian school libraries. Topics include digital collections in school library media centers; print and electronic library resources; library collections; collaborative projects; print-disabled students; informing administrators of the importance of collection development; censorship;…