Tools and tips for creating a 21st century print reference collection

1. Reinventing your Reference
Collection for the 21st
Century
Tools and tips for creating a 21st century school library print reference collection
Cynthia Houston, Ph.D. Western Kentucky University
Program in Library Media Education

2. What is in your reference
collection?  QUESTIONS:
 Do you currently have a print reference
collection in your school library?
 Where is it located?
 How many titles do you have on the shelves?
 What is the average age of these titles?
 How evenly balanced is your reference
collection over the different Dewey or
Universal Decimal Classifications?
 How many electronic reference titles your
library have and how accessible are these
items?
Is your collection
current, relevant, and
accessible?

3. Is the Purpose of your Print Reference
Collection Relevant?
20th Century
 Instant answers to general questions
 Dictionaries, atlases, almanacs,
directories, etc.
 General knowledge sources
 Encyclopedias, handbooks, etc.
 First stop on the research process
 Instruction in the organization of
information
 Browsing grounds for curious minds
21st Century
 Instant answers to general questions
 Dictionaries, atlases, almanacs,
directories, etc.
 General knowledge sources
 Encyclopedias, handbooks, etc.
 First stop on the research process
 Instruction on the organization of
information
 Browsing grounds for curious minds!

4. Reinvent your Reference Collection Step by Step
Resources!
ALA Reference Collection Plan Template
 http://www.alaeditions.org/files/Singer_Refere
nce-Collection-Development-Policy-
Template.docx
IFLA School Library Guidelines
 http://www.ifla.org/files/assets/school-
libraries-resource-centers/publications/ifla-
school-library-guidelines.pdf
Reference resources. National Library of New
Zealand: Services to Schools
 http://schools.natlib.govt.nz/school-
libraries/collection-formats/reference-
resources
1. Conduct a Collection Analysis by age,
class, and format
2. Conduct a user needs analysis
3. Create a Reference Collection
Development Plan that includes
selection and deselection policies for
materials in all formats, &
information services programming
4. Weed all out of date materials
5. Make your reference collection an
inviting gateway to information
inquiry!