Coll. Dev. Policy Table of Contents Copyright Statement Introduction Policies Selection Process Collection Evaluation Adult 000 - Computers Adult 100 - Psychology, Philosophy Adult 200 - Religion Adult 300 - Social Sciences Adult 400 - Language Adult 500 - Pure Sciences Adult 600 - Applied Sciences Adult 700 - Arts, Recreation Adult 800 - Literature Adult 900 - History, Geography Adult - Biography Adult - Fiction Adult - Mysteries Adult - Science Fiction Adult - Young Adult Adult - Videos Adult - Ref. CD-ROMs Adult - Circ CD-ROMs Adult - Popular Recordings Adult - Classical Recordings Adult - Spoken Recordings Adult - Reference Adult - Online Databases Adult - WWW Sites Adult - Large Type Adult - Paperbacks Adult - Govt. Documents Adult - Local History Adult - Periodicals Adult - Literacy Adult - Foreign Lang. Adult - Phone Books Adult - College Catalog Adult - Pamphlets Juv. - Non-Fiction Juv. - Easy Reader Non-Fic. Juv. - Fiction Juv. - Easy Fiction Juv. - Easy Reader Fiction Juv. - Picture Books Juv. - Paperbacks Juv. - Sound Recordings Juv. - Spoken Recordings Juv. - Reference Juv. - Periodicals

Reference

The Morton Grove Public Library's Reference Department contains materials that cover the entire range of the Dewey Decimal Classification System. These materials vary in degree of difficulty from a basic introductory level to a beginning research level. The goal of the Library's Reference Department is to provide current information on all subjects and historical information in areas where previous questions and experience indicate that it is likely to be in demand. Materials formally cataloged for reference comprise only part of the collection. The circulating nonfiction and periodical collections, representing many areas of interest, and the many online databases to which the Library subscribes serve as major sources in meeting requests for information. Selection in these areas reflects and supports the dependence of reference on potentially all parts of the Library's collection.

There are a number of areas in Reference that receive special emphasis. The department has a small, but effective business collection that serves both business professionals, individual investors, job seekers, and individuals seeking one-time, business-related information. It includes many national business directories, Standard & Poor's investment services, Dun & Bradstreet directories, online database searching, and a number of well known financial and investment publications.

The Reference collection also includes a variety of specialized research tools and finding aids, such as the award-winning ORRS (Online Ready Reference System). ORRS contains many in-house databases: a song index, a play index, a government index of local representatives, and an Organizations File used for information and referral. The Reference collection also contains telephone directories for the Chicagoland area.

The Reference Department has access to an even wider range of resources through in-library access to OCLC's FirstSearch, through other databases offered locally and state-wide, and through interlibrary loan. Through union lists, indexes, and online searching of databases, the Library currently provides information to its patrons that may at one time have been beyond its scope.

Influencing Factors

Whether the information is related to academic assignments, employment, business, health, consumer concerns or recreational pursuits, there is an expectation on the part of the Morton Grove public that the Library will either have the answer or know where to find it. The Library's aim is to provide the information resources to meet this expectation and need.

Selection of reference materials is based on subject coverage, timeliness, affordability, and usefulness. Reviews and recommendations of materials are consulted before purchasing reference materials. Sources consulted for objective reviews of reference materials include: Library Journal, Booklist, and RSQ. Reference materials are also examined by Library staff at conference exhibits and bookstores.

Publishers' ads and brochures are checked for new titles. Regularly published titles, such as The World Almanac & Book of Facts and Washington Information Directory, are placed on standing order to insure prompt receipt of the most current edition. Only one copy of a standard reference book is purchased. If the contents and format make it appropriate for the circulating collection, however, additional copies may be purchased. Both hardcover and paperback titles are purchased.


As budget constraints allow, electronic reference titles (e-books or Web-based) will be considered. If an electronic resource duplicates a print title, the Reference Coordinator will decide whether or not to retain the print source.

All reference titles published periodically are considered for the standing order plan, except in cases in which price, frequency of publication, or overlap with other titles indicate otherwise. If the cost is prohibitive, an alternative to the annual cycle should be considered, such as ordering the title every two or three years. The entire standing order list should be reviewed each year.

All selectors are to inform the Reference Coordinator of new editions and important new reference materials within their respective subject areas.

Selection of reference materials for Adult Services and Youth Services is coordinated so that no unnecessary duplication will occur, and so that the content of each reference resource is appropriate to the needs and educational level of its users. The Head of the Youth Services Department and the Head of Reference Services will consult each other regarding the selection of reference materials which may be appropriate to both departments.

Retention is based on the likelihood of a historical interest in the field as well as the timeliness of a title and its informational content. Weeding is done on an annual basis to make room for newer titles. Materials currently in print and titles included in current editions of standard selection guides, such as Sheehy's Guide to Reference Books, ALA's Reference Sources for Small & Medium-Sized Libraries, and Public Library Catalog, are usually retained.

Replacement of seldom-used, obsolete, and out-of-date materials should be a high priority. Future, as well as retrospective, development of the collection will take place in areas which have evidenced inadequate depth or range to answer patrons' informational needs. With the ongoing shift from print to electronic reference sources, future reference sources in all formats will be evaluated, based on usefulness, cost, ease of use, and availability to the patron, both in-house and outside the the Library. With regards to retrospective development, the sources to be consulted include: guides to books in print, Guide to Reference Books, Reference Books Annual, Reference Sources for Small & Medium-Sized Libraries and other standard selection guides.

This is a collection that, due to space and budget limitations, will remain stable in size. However, weeding, replacing, and ordering new titles is an ongoing and important role for this department. The Reference Department must be proactive and dynamic in the development and maintenance of the reference collection.

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First published on the Web: 1/26/98
Last updated: 10/17/2006, 3:07 PM