Fundamentals of Managing Reference Collections (ALA Fundamentals) - Softcover

Singer, Carol A

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0838911536 ISBN 13: 9780838911532

Publisher: ALA Editions, 2012

Synopsis

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 importance of collection development policies, and how to effectively involve others in the decision-making process
• New insights into selecting reference materials, both print and electronic
• Strategies for collection maintenance, including the all-important issue of weeding

This important new book will help librarians make better reference decisions, aligned to customer needs and expectations, especially significant with today's limited budgets.

About this title

About the Author

Carol A. Singer is a reference and instruction librarian at Bowling Green
State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. One of her primary responsibilities
is coordinating the development and management of the reference
collection. Her research has focused on reference collections and services,
as well as government publications. She is the author of many articles and
the editor of Docs Prescriptions, the newsletter of the Government Documents
Round Table of Ohio. Singer earned her master s degree in library
science at Indiana University.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Singer is a reference and instruction librarian at Bowling Green State University, where one of her responsibilities is managing the reference collection. Her addition to the ALA Fundamentals series is a thorough and practical guide to building, organizing, and maintaining both print and electronic reference collections. Applicable to all library types, the work’s nine chapters cover the collection-management process from policy development to selection through weeding. The chapter on budgeting and license agreements is particularly useful, and the chapter on weeding is a spectacular guide to both large crisis projects as well as regular maintenance. Every new reference manager or librarian in charge of reference collections should read this superb guide. --Emily Compton-Dzak

Edition details

• Publisher: ALA Editions
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0838911536
• ISBN 13: 9780838911532
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 184