Argues for purchase of library books within Canada. Reasons given are the library's cultural responsibility and the need to aid in resolving the financial crisis faced by Canadian publishers. (SW)

Describes a system of external depository libraries that receive, control, and circulate a varied and changing collection of course related materials for the off campus student. Laurentian University serves 3,000 part-time students enrolled in 70 courses at 15 outside centers spread across an area 400 miles in diameter. (RAA)

Because both adults and children have claimed Newbery books are difficult, this study sought to determine minimum reading level of 20 Newbery award winners by testing reading comprehension of fifth and sixth graders on each book. Only two books exceeded fifth- and sixth-grade reading levels. Book ratings are listed. (DS)

A computerized method of assisting monograph collection development by correlating library circulation with inventory statistics is presented. (Author)

Circulation of individual titles held by Wellington Public Library (New Zealand) were compared before and after television dramatizations of the works had been aired; the objective was to establish whether readers' choice of title was influenced by television. Results showed no statistically significant increase, indicating that television…

Relates the history of the destruction of China's Hanlin academy library during the Boxer Uprising. Topics include a historical background; Western interests at the time; efforts to replace some missing volumes; contents of the library; and the meaning of the loss of cultural treasures and written heritage. (LRW)

Provides guidelines for ordering the best computer books, geared to the library's size. Covers series, articles, subjects, and publishers most useful to a broad audience, as well as the best places to seek information on new titles and where to find reviews. Offers time savers for upgrading a computer book collection and discusses weeding…

Describes methods used at the University of Akron (Ohio) library to increase the usage of government publications, including cataloging that appears in the online catalog, integrating them into bibliographic instruction, listing in pathfinders, and presenting workshops. Examples are appended. (LRW)

Presents an annotated list of selected recent scholarly and general reference works under the subject categories of archives; literature; music; psychology; sociology; black studies; women's studies; history and area studies; and new editions and supplements. (LRW)

Reviews the so-called "library crisis" and literature on the determinants of journal prices. Discusses the impact of the recent merger activity among journal publishers and notes the possibility that electronic publications may slow down the increase in journal prices. Discusses the question of why substantial improvements in computer technology…

Describes a project undertaken in the Yale University Library to develop a rational approach for the selection and appraisal of collections of faculty papers. Serves as a case study of the application of a method developed by the Minnesota Historical Society to a collecting repository within an academic setting. (Author/LRW)

Discusses selection policies for library acquisitions and describes a quantitative model that explains variations in expenditures by subject that was developed at Arizona State University. The link between policy and selection practice is discussed, allocation formulas are examined, and further research topics are suggested. (57 references) (LRW)

Descriptions and evaluations of selected books about the Vietnam War are presented in three broad categories: anthologies and collections, books describing a specific aspect of or group involved in the war, and books about problems faced by returning veterans. (34 references) (CLB)

Describes the growing demand for video materials in public libraries and argues that libraries should develop policies for videos that are comparable to policies for print materials. Policy areas discussed include loan periods, interlibrary loans, reserves, freedom to view, and user fees. (CLB)