From: HERRICK HEITMAN <HHEITMAN_at_statelib.wa.gov>
The Collection Development Policy Group at the Washington State
Library is revising a dusty collection development policy. Our customers
include the Govenor's Office, the Legislature, and state agencies as
well as the general public.
1) We are interested in identifying benchmarks and standards for
collection development and weeding in the following areas: economic
development; salmon recovery/endangered species; higher education;
public education; public safety; natural resources; water quality. Any
suggestions would be most welcome.
2)We've also been talking about "rules of thumb"--those intuitive
benchmarks that are part of our library's folk wisdom. An example is:
"Medical books that are 5 years old are reaching the end of their useful
shelf life." Do other libraries have such rules of thumb? What is their
basis in fact? Do they have any basis?
Thanks in advance,
Herrick Heitman
hheitman_at_statelib.wa.gov
(360) 704-7131
Received on Mon Nov 30 1998 - 10:16:15 EST