Two out-of-print book buying methods, searching desiderata files against out-of print book catalogs and advertising want lists in The Library Bookseller,'' are compared based on the data collected from a sample of 168 titles. (7 references) (Author)

The widely accepted approval-plan concept has moved from a lengthy period of discussion of selection responsibility to a few recent studies of the plans' cost, efficiency, and impact on research collections. An annotated list of articles from 1958 to 1972 traces this transformation and identifies the research studies. (34 references) (Author)

Procedures for solving the problem of overordering copies of books for which fewer copies would be sufficient are discussed. (SJ)

This second annual encyclopedia summary updates the American Library Association's (ALA) evaluation of 10 sets and analyzes the deletions and additions made to each encyclopedia within the context of each publisher's revision plans. The board looked specifically for significant changes in purpose, arrangement, content style, general quality, and…

An acquisitions guide listing sources of government documents to aid in selective purchase of materials. (JAB)

This discussion of the librarian's perspective on collection development cites professional "blind spots" in areas of responses to and misinterpretation of information, censorship, identifying and satisfying reader demand, and confusion over the role of the librarian. A 15-item bibliography is provided. (EJS)

Many factors need to be considered when a librarian decides on vendors for his orders. By using information from existing trade journals and from questionnaires completed by publishers, a handbook was developed to assist librarians; it discusses some 450 publishers in terms of their: (1) address, (2) promptness of delivery, (3) price discounts…

Evaluations of out-of-print book dealers supplying the California State University, Northridge, library show that most titles are received within nine months from the date of the list. This article suggests that academic libraries should establish purchasing standards and discloses methods of locating books that dealers consider most effective. (1…

This investigation based upon a survey of 26 American and West European booksellers attemts to provide some basic information about foreign blanket orders. The characteristics of foreign blanket orders as well as the attitudes of the booksellers are summarized. (Author)

A simple normative theory applicable to public library services was developed as a tool to aid libraries in answering the question: which books should be bought by the library? Although developed for normative purposes, the theory generates testable predictions. It is relevant to measuring benefits from services which are provided publicly because…

Develops guidelines for selecting and ordering microforms, including warnings regarding microform ripoffs. Literature and techniques for evaluating microforms are discussed. (Author/JAB)

Describes possible sources of computer software, including hardware bundles, commercial suppliers, users groups, electronic bulletin boards, as payment for software review services, prototype contracts, and writing the software oneself. Advantages and disadvantages of each, especially in terms of technical support, are discussed. (CLB)

Core-reference collections are the small number of sources which meet the basic needs of all libraries, and the purpose of this guide is to assist libraries in the selection, acquisition, and use of these resources. Section I, structured like an annotated bibliography, focuses on the selection of those works which should constitute the main…

Approval plans are widely used in academic libraries to acquire current books soon after publication without time-consuming, costly title-by-title ordering. However, return rates of unselected books to the approval plan vendor are sometimes unacceptably high. Wright State University Library attempted to moderate their high approval return rates by…

This classified and annotated list contains 1000 titles selected for students and non-specialist adults from books received in the Science and Technology Department of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh during 1977. Entries are classified in the Library of Congress system and include the LC number, name of the first author only, title, and…