College and Research Libraries


82 I College & Research Libraries • January 1975 

Many smaller failings-poor copy edit-
ing and outright errors-contribute to the 
impression of a poorly planned, hastily put 
together work. The New Sabin by no means 
supersedes Joseph Sabin's monumental Dic-
tionary, and in its present form it fails to 
make a significant contribution of its own 
to the bibliographical control of Americana. 
-Doris Ann Sweet, Columbia University 
Libraries, New York City. 

Carter, Mary Duncan; Bonk, Wallace John; 
and ~1agrill, Rose Mary. Building Li-
brary Collections. 4th ed. Metuchen, 
N.J.: Scarecrow, 1974. 415p. 
This fourth edition of a library school 

"classic" has grown by some hundred pages 
yet remains, unsurprisingly, no more than 
a once-over-lightly of the complexities of 
acquisitions theory and practice. In an at-
tempt to be inclusive it ranges from discus-
sion of selection philosophies through de-
scription of national and trade bibliogra-
phies to a brief analysis of the uses of fan-
fold processing slips. As an introduction the 
text has already proven effective, although 
its usefulness is limited for experienced li-
brarians. 

The orientation is definitely toward pub-
lic libraries, with an emphasis on the vary-
ing factors involved in book selection for 
different types and sizes of user communi-
ties. In an informally readable style the text 
restates commonsense principles and again 
illustrates that selection is more of an art 
than a science. Roughly the first half of the 
book is coverage of general theories while 
the second half is evenly split between de-
scription of acquisition aids and appen-
dixes. The considerable portion of the text 
summarizing features of major bibliograph-
ic tools provides useful example entries to 
illustrate inclusiveness and format. Of 
course one difficulty with any book which 
tries to describe current bibliographic 
sources is that it is almost certain to be out 
of date by the time of publication. This edi-
tion has already missed the metamorphosis 
of Publishers' Weekly, the fifteenth edition 
of Ulrich's, and of course the recently an-
nounced separation of Library ] ournal and 
School Library Journal. 

Discussion of the publishing trade and 
acquisitions practices is sketchy (e.g., no 
mention of NPAC), but throughout the 

book expanded bibliographies at chapter 
ends recommend a good range of addition-
al material and have been brought well up 
to date. The approximate quarter of the 
volume devoted to appendixes offers a use-
ful assortment of ALA Council statements 
on the freedom to read and a variety of 
quotations from book selection policies. 
Another interesting section is the text of the 
June 1973 Miller vs. California Supreme 
Court obscenity decision. 

Occasional lapses in editing, generally 
of the typographical variety, are still evi-
dent in this new edition. Perhaps it was my 
misfortune to encounter the only blind 
cross reference in the index when I chose 
to look up USEE. However, even these 
minor slips are regrettable in a text which 
presumably will be read with close atten-
tion by prospective librarians. 

In summary, the book is fine for its in-
tended audience but of limited utility be-
yond library school classes.-Karen Horny, 
Assistant University Librarian for Technical 
Services, Northwestern University Library, 
Evanston, Illinois. 

Schad, Jasper G., and Tanis, Norman E. 
Problems in Developing Academic Li-
brary Collections. New York: Bowker, 
1974. 183p. 
Collection development and acquisitions 

problems have often been relegated a 
minor role in library school curricula. The 
reasons for this vary, but the net result is 
the same-graduates with little practical, 
let alone theoretical, basis for action. In an 
attempt to counter this situation, the au-
thors, both library directors, have created 
thirty case studies based on real situations, 
ranging from one to twenty pages in length. 
Superficially viewed, these studies might 
appear to be lacking in depth and subtlety, 
but a careful reading proves this not to be 
the case. Each situation is carefully con-
structed to present directly or by inference 
problems and dilemmas concerning a sur-
prisingly broad range of topics. 

Especially important for the student is 
the political and economic backdrop 
against which these problems are cast. Who 
really implements library policy? What is 
the proper balance between the academic 
administration, the library administration, 
the library staff, the faculty? Who controls