Drafting a Reference Collection Policy
Kathleen M. Coleman, Pauline Dickinson · College & Research Libraries · 1977
A reference collection policy can be useful in setting guidelines for the estabUshment and maintenance of an effective reference collection.It can also serve to facilitate reference service and to train new reference librarians by clarifying some reference department goals.This article indicates important elements to include in a reference collection policy.It also describes procedures followed by the Reference Collection Committee at San Diego State University in drafting its policy and includes the text of the policy currently in effect in the San Diego State University Library.MANY ACADEMIC LIBRARIES have written collection policies which set criteria for depth of coverage, selection, and retirement (weeding or storage) of the library's collection.In recent years a number of academic library reference departments have recognized the need for additional guidelines in order to maintain an effective reference collection.A reference collection policy is a useful tool for several reasons.First, it sets uniform guidelines for the collection, including subject scope, depth of coverage, and types of material to be included.Second, it provides an opportunity for coordinating the reference collection with reference service.Since the reference collection is a working collection, materials should be chosen, located, and, if necessary, duplicated, to serve the needs of reference librarians and users.Third, the reference collection policy is an effective orientation device for training new staff in making reference decisions.Finally, the policy spells out the cooperation and division