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 items from the Reference Collection. The first eight sections identify the following: purpose; scope; mission; responsibility; definition of a reference book; objective for Reference Department staff; factors to examine when considering material to add to the Reference Collection; and characteristics of items that should not automatically be considered for the Reference Collection. The ninth section provides guidelines for the following types of reference materials: almanacs, annuals and yearbooks; atlases; bibliographies; biographical encyclopedias/dictionaries/directories; career resources; concordances; dictionaries; encyclopedias; genealogy materials; globes; histories (multi-volume); legal materials; maps; medical resources; museum and library catalogs; Nebraska materials; plot summaries; primary document collections; sacred books; standardized examination study guides; student financial aid resources; style manuals; telephone directories; and travel resources. The last section presents "other guidelines" for atlas stands placement and placement of prior editions. Appendix A lists the items shelved at the Reference Desk. Appendix B is a selected bibliography. Appendix C presents the Reference Collection"Deselection" Policy, and Appendix D outlines the Reference Collection "Deselection" procedure. (AEF)