This manual is intended to simplify the job of collection development and to give bibliographers access to the information they need to do their jobs. It emphasizes the procedures used for initiating orders in the libraries of Virginia Polytechnic University, and highlights sources of information that bibliographers can access in ordering. It is possible to use the manual, published in loose leaf format, as the basis for a compilation of information about collection development. The first section discusses gathering information, with information on patron groups, the use of the collection, and information about materials on order. A second section reviews selection tools, including the OCLC catalog. The third section reviews the ordering process for the university libraries. A final section discusses decisions that bibliographers must make and the decision policies of the university. Nine appendixes discuss particular aspects of collection development, including selection issues and collection management. Minutes of recent meetings of the university libraries collection development committee are included to illustrate how the bibliographer can use the manual as a place to keep all job relevant information. (SLD)