A periodical database was searched to investigate the occurrence of favorable and unfavorable book reviews to determine the role of reviews in library selection. Compares book reviews with other types of reviews, examines relationships between review evaluations and other review characteristics, and compares the number of favorable and unfavorable…

Reports on the use of book reviews as selection tools to establish the reputations of publishers. Examines the quality of books of several presses, and compares each publisher against a control sample, finding discernible variations in how reviewers express themselves about books. Discusses the relationship between price and qualit,y and…

Three attempts at consensus lists of evaluation criteria for the Web are compared with reviews in "Choice" magazine. There is little agreement on the most important/appropriate criteria for a Web site's value, and few of the criteria appear in the sample reviews, suggesting a continued lack of consensus. The extreme rapidity of change in the Web…

This annual review source is designed to assist smaller libraries in the systematic selection of suitable reference materials for their collections. Approximately 500 unabridged reviews, written by over 250 practicing librarians and subject specialists, identify and describe the most useful and affordable reference sources available for small and…

This annual review source is a guide for libraries with limited budgets to finding the reference sources that best fit their needs and it also is a source for helping reference librarians advise patrons on information sources. More than 500 reviews, written by over 250 practicing librarians and subject specialists, identify and describe the most…

Reports results of comparison of seven journals which review popular music recordings, including number of reviews, length of reviews, favorable versus unfavorable reviews, reading score, journal subscription price and average review cost, and music styles covered. Ten references are cited. (EJS)

Nine tables compare prices, indexing coverage, and library popularity of periodical titles for 1977 to 1979. Titles are chosen from indexing services' authority groups and are listed by subject. Based on number of library subscriptions from indexing services, a "weighted price" serves as a budget guideline. (SW)

Discusses obsolescence as a criterion for libraries to use when selecting journals and suggests topicality of the research theme that has been cited in subsequent years as a better variable. Describes the use of the Rasch model as a measuring instrument and compares rank order using the two methods. (LRW)

An examination of how well the Canadian public library is meeting the needs of the serious reader interested in self education, as compared to new and secondhand book stores and academic libraries, found that the public library is the most important and effective agency in providing materials for this group. (CLB)

A study was undertaken to determine the extent to which "Choice" provides librarians with an adequate evaluation of the best books in the field of western American history in a reasonable amount of time. To assess the overall coverage, the titles of all the books reviewed in "Western Historical Quarterly" from 1970 to 1974 were searched in…

This case study at the Idaho State University library examines the relative merits of the features and functionality of the various free versions of the ERIC database in comparison with a commercial version. Recommends a commercial version of ERIC to take advantage of the enhanced search features. (Author/LRW)

Reports the results of a study which examined the need for and use of both academic and professional materials in library collections for professional education. The measures used included proportions of materials in an existing business collection, and comparisons of patron use and obsolescence rates of academic and professional materials. (CLB)

This discussion of the failure to include many book reviews by indexes in selected subject fields and by several general indexes highlights the technique used to check review materials in selected magazines to see what was actually indexed, the policies of specific indexes, and the practical consequences for librarians. (EM)

In this study quantifiable characteristics of encyclopedia articles such as subjects treated, length, illustrations and bibliographies were examined. Random subsamples were analyzed and the findings are presented in twelve tables. (1 reference) (DH)

Reviews the advantages and disadvantages of several publishers' offerings of classic literature titles often purchased by libraries. Four hardcover choices and five paperback choices are compared in terms of price; authenticity of text, including introductory notes; and quality of production, including binding and type size. (LRW)