Argues that the role expected of libraries is significantly different now from what it was for nearly 95 percent of the span of library history, and that this change of purpose has not been reflected in the current budgetary and management priorities of librarians. Nine references are cited. (FM)

Describes the various purposes of special collections of children's literature including their value to historians, sociologists, psychologists, artists and authors, their reference purposes, and their value in preserving regional artistic and literary heritages. A bibliography of journal articles, pamphlets, and brochures listed by state is…

Three conference papers on the formulation of collection development policies are presented in this report: (1) Richard W. Blood, Assistant Professor and Social Sciences Bibliographer, General Libraries, University of Houston, discusses both the theoretical considerations behind an academic library's decision to write such a policy and the…

Argues that book selection is more properly and adequately done by faculty members than librarians. A model for faculty selection of library materials that formally incorporates accountability for selectors is proposed.

Problems of providing bibliographic access to university library-based information sources are discussed with focus upon bibliographies, card and union catalogs, and library classification schemes. (Author/MBR)

Discusses general findings reported in the literature of use and citation studies on the use of citation counts as found in "Journal Citation Reports" for identification of periodical titles for cancellation in a university library. Principal reasons for retention of little-cited journals are noted. Twenty-one references are cited. (EJS)

This essay on collection development in academic libraries focuses on four issues: collection size, written collection development policies, involvement of teaching faculty in collection development, and the status of scholarly periodicals. Twenty references are listed. (EJS)

Examines the role of interloan (interlibrary loan) services in the private college library. Interloan service is suggested as a means of sharing the abundance of books available in academic library collections. Cost and space considerations are outlined. (EJS)

Describes three computer programs that have been used to produce indexes, guides, and bibliographies for a university library: Interact, Script, and the Keyword in Context Package. The advantages and disadvantages of using the computer to produce such materials are reviewed, and nine references are listed. (RAA)

Addresses issues related to library acquisition of microform collections. Cooperation in the acquisition process between libraries and scholars is urged. The value of microforms and the importance of providing finding aids are also discussed. (nine references) (MES)

Suggests that fundamental questions with broad policy implications and a perspective that approaches academic library from patron's point of view remain to be asked about library costs, collections and their use, library users, and both the academic setting itself and the people who work within it. Seventeen references are cited. (EJS)

Results of a 1969 survey by Carol Nemeyer of scholarly reprint activity in United States are reviewed in light of subsequent trends. Although replication of survey is not recommended, certain aspects that merit continued study are discussed with emphasis on the role of academic librarians in scholarly reprint selection. (36 references) (EJS)

The ethics of book preservation are the same ethics held by institutions of higher learning: equitable access to information; protection of individual rights to privacy in using those resources; development of collections that are unbiased records of diverse viewpoints; and preservation of the human record with all its variety. (MLW)

This report responds to a proposal for an internal audit of the library collection at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and describes various measures that University Library Services (ULS) has already implemented to automate the inventory process and improve security. Introductory materials provide an executive summary and background…

A comparison of subject- and publisher-based book approval plans for academic libraries found publisher-based plans to be more successful for purchasing domestic publications, and subject-based plans for international ones. Library collections, organization, and vagaries of the publishing industry form the basis for selecting the plan which is…