CDL: Academic reference collection selection? (response 1)

From: John P. Abbott <abbottjp_at_conrad.appstate.edu>
Date: Sat, 24 Apr 2004 07:28:31 -0400
To: colldv-l <colldv-l_at_usc.edu>
[original posting followed by response.]

From: "Michael Shires" <mshires_at_nova.edu>

Hello.

I work with a large budgeted approval plan due to our new joint-use 
library.  At the moment, all reference librarians select materials for 
reference (excluding serials) and circulating collections based upon 
their approval plan call number areas. My reference department 
colleagues have discussed the possibility of creating a reference 
collection review committee that would select reference material 
rather than have individual selectors do this.  I have looked at some 
reference collection development policies through Acqweb but can't 
find one that states how collection development is done for their 
reference collection.

My question is there anyone willing to share their experiences on how 
their academic reference collection handles selecting material?  Is it 
done by a committee, an individual or are subject selectors 
responsible for this?

Regards,  Michael Shires

J. Michael Shires
Reference Librarian and Subject Specialist for Science and Technology
Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology Center
Nova Southeastern University
3100 Ray Ferrero, Jr. Boulevard
Ft. Lauderdale, FL  33314

--1--
       
From: "Mary Drewes" <mary.drewes_at_mail.und.nodak.edu>

The Head of Reference in our library routes selection slips from 
our book vendor and Choice along with reviews from other selection 
tools  that each Bibliographer initials if he/she thinks the item 
is important to the Reference collection.  The slips with most 
requests are top priority and it goes from there.   Individual 
bibliographers have to lobby for items for their departments 
that either were not identified as priorities or were not 
included in the department routing.  The Head of Reference 
tries to acquire something for every dept. as money allows.  
Usually those items that are highly requested require all the 
funds so there is never enough money to purchase all we would 
like or need every year.  

mary

Mary Hegle Drewes, Head
Collection Development & Information Access Services
Sciences Bibliographer
Chester Fritz Library
University of North Dakota
Received on Sun Apr 25 2004 - 03:03:23 EDT