What is a ready reference collection? A stack of reference books selected according to personal interests? Each institution is unique in its needs and so are the collections that each library carries. The curricula and programs determine the collection development policies and the student population justifies the needs for their implementation. Is…

Presents 11 articles that deal with selection skills and collection development in junior and senior high school libraries. Highlights include censorship concerns, selecting corporate-sponsored materials, written selection policies, budget considerations, sample selection and evaluation forms for print and nonprint materials, reference books, and…

The purpose of this policy is to outline those principles that guide the development of the Reference Collection at the Calvin T. Ryan Library, University of Nebraska at Kearney. It clarifies, records, and makes public the basic principles that the members of the Reference Department believe should be applied in adding items to or withdrawing…

Reviews the research on maintaining information currency in reference collections. Discusses age versus use; continuity of maintenance; problems with irregularly published works; manual maintenance methods; computer-assisted methods; assignment of responsibility; and collection management/maintenance policies. Suggests how to improve reference…

The New Thought movement is the focus of an exercise in developing a core collection to support research in a defined subject area. The authors outline the New Thought movement's conceptual and historical development and apply this outline to the selection of library resources. A sample collection development policy is included; such a policy is…

This document is a statement of guidelines for the collection of reference materials at the Ethel K. Smith Library in Wingate University (North Carolina). The library's mission statement is given at the outset. Then parameters are established for the reference collection's scope and size, including subject-area and media priorities. The statement…

Intended for use by the head of reference and subject-area bibliographers at Penfield Library, this document provides guidelines for the selection and evaluation of titles for the 25,000 volume reference collection at this primarily undergraduate institution. The reference collection also supports the general information needs of both the college…

One public library's policy for the selection of adult and children's library materials is described. The library's collection interests are outlined and guidelines are given covering selection personnel, selection criteria, and selection sources for print and non-print materials. Problems involved in collection maintenance and the evaluation of…

Discusses the use of the Internet for ready reference and considers limitations, reference policy, and cost issues. Highlights include general reference sources; database searching on the Internet; Gopher; bibliographic control and access to Internet resources; personnel issues; and levels of service. (Contains 30 references.) (LRW)

This guide is the Northern Illinois University (NIU) Libraries' quick reference tool for providing information about its collections, facilities, and services. The articles are arranged in an alphabetic, dictionary format with numerous cross-references, and highlight information on the following: administrative offices; company annual reports;…

This policy is intended to serve as a guide for the selection and retention of materials for the Watson Memorial Library of Northwestern State University in Natchitoches (Louisiana) and its two branch facilities in Leesville and Shreveport. The mission of the university, the creation, dissemination, and acquisition of knowledge, is also that of…

Sample documents are provided to assist a school library media center in Oklahoma in preparing a policy handbook applicable to the library's particular situation. The operating policy defines the purpose of the library and the library media specialist, as well as the users, schedule, orientation and instruction practices, and circulation…

This issue presents 42 articles that provide an overview of current reference services in all types of libraries in Illinois. Highlights include designing reference areas; policies and manuals; the reference interview; reference tools; automated databases; resource sharing; services to youth; services to special populations; and reference…