Whether a library's reference collection is large or small, it needs constant attention. Singer's book offers information and insight on best practices for reference collection management, no matter the size, and shows why managing without a plan is a recipe for clutter and confusion. In this very practical guide, reference librarians will learn:…

The number of electronic resources has climbed up steadily in recent times. Some of these e-resources are reference sources, mostly in Science, Technology and Medicine (STM), which publishers convert to electronic for obvious reasons. The library budgets for materials usually have two main lines, budget for one time purchase (monographs) and…

Describes directions, challenges, and objectives of the information management program of the United States Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The program envisions the rigor and organization normally associated with a research library to be virtually rendered and extended in the networked world of distributed information. (AEF)

Reference services are in the midst of evolutionary changes. At a time when budgets are shrinking, traditional models of service and print reference formats are being questioned. This article discusses future directions of academic reference collections in terms of the apparent shift from print to electronic reference sources. Questions addressed…

Describes the thinking and research involved in implementing an electronic reference service to Raritan Valley Community College's Library Web Page. Discusses implementation of a jargon-free "Ask a Librarian" service with well-defined procedures and a plan for advertising the service. Ideas incorporated in the procedures and plans are…

Examines the increasing information value of government documents as resource materials, the effects of information technology on access to government documents, and the resulting need for cooperation among archivists and librarians in selection and administration of these materials. (CLB)

Discusses the growing importance of machine readable data files (MRDFs) as library reference tools, and describes the policies and services for MRDFs developed at the University of Florida libraries. Guidelines to selecting, acquiring, and planning for MRDFs are appended, along with examples of ERIC records for MRDFs. (four references) (CLB)

Describes the historical and present roles of the prison library, as well as the nature of the prison librarian position. Identifies and analyzes the obstacles confronting a prison librarian when selecting academic materials and making those materials accessible to prisoners. (AEF)

Discusses sources of information useful to teacher-librarians regarding the use of CD-ROMs in schools. Highlights include "CMC News" ("Computers and the Media Center"), the most popular CD-ROM titles in use, the increase in CD-ROM ownership, and primary use of CD-ROMs for reference and current information access. (LRW)

The Collection Development Council at Old Dominion University (Virginia) decided to involve all subject specialist librarians in creating guides to web resources in the disciplines for which they serve as bibliographers. The project was intended to help librarians become familiar with Internet resources in their fields of expertise and give them…

Focuses on organizing and accessing federal documents in the public library. Highlights include reference service; staff training; access to the collection; collection maintenance; volunteers and community service workers; electronic products and public programs. (AEF)

Discusses selecting for a reference collection, creative budgeting, cutting a deal, collection awareness (strengths/needs), Web site reviews, R-Net (reviews from diverse areas and institutions), and print vs. electronic reference products. Reference librarian adhere to high standards for reference book and Web sites, teach assessment techniques,…

The libraries of the University of California recognize the need to transform present collections and services into the library of the 21st century. Doing so will require bridging issues of cultural diversity and enhancing support for existing diversity collections. The Ad Hoc Committee on Regional Workshops of the Library Association of the…