Writing the Collection Development Manual

This article puts the need for writing a collection development manual in its historical context. It discusses the reasons for producing a collection development manual: to smooth out the functioning of the processing operation; to consider all collection development assumptions; to stimulate both the authors and the users of the manual to discuss important issues in collection development; to reduce bibliographer stress by specifying procedures for collection development: and to provide evaluation criteria for bibliographers. The article distinguishes two types of manuals: the training manual and the reference manual. The training manual provides the novice bibliographer with a comprehensive understanding of the materials selection environment: the structure of the subject field, the library holdings, collection usage patterns, the budget situation, the library's collection development policies, and the library materials market. The reference manual provides a compilation of internal policies and procedures to be consulted by bibliographers when such knowledge is required. It is suggested that a reference manual be organized around the following topics: materials selection, budgeting, purchase, review, and use.