June 10, 2008

This meeting is to define a process of development for the reference collection, with focus given to online resources

Vision—Using online resources effectively

Process—Expanding usage of said resources

Online resources can offer more up-to-date materials in our collection

• Many materials out of date

• May not present a useful collection for reference users

Problem: Usage stats?

From the IRD policy:7.A.5 Adult Reference  The Reference collection provides current, broad-based, general

sources for topical concerns and facts in online and print formats. The basic purpose of the Reference collection is to provide quick and consistently available access to statistical, directory, and factual information for access by both the Reference staff and the general public.

In general, single topic materials are inappropriate for this collection. Database, dictionary, encyclopedic, directory, and index formats are the most likely choice with content decisions being made on the basis of the purposes stated above.

 Retention specifics: The primary criteria for retention in the

collection are accuracy of the information, appropriateness of the format, and currency of the data.

Selectors give perceived strengths and weaknesses of their collections

Expanding Usage via electronic means

IRD databases criteria sheet Online versions of Print resources

• US Code service

• Project Gutenberg

• Google books

Assignment: staff  will look for online resources for next meeting• Each selector will bring at least 1

recommendation before July 10, but more is encouraged

• Recommendations can be fee-based or free resources

Identify materials that can be digitized What is eligible (in public domain):

• Published before 1923• Published from 1923 to 1963 with no copyright notice

Digitized copies may already be available on Project Gutenberg or Google books. • Once digitized, we may also be able to add them to

Overdrive as a free document which other libraries may use.

Staff will forward their ideas to Travis for review Promising ideas will be moved forward to next

meeting

Digital resources need to augment the existing collection

Expanding usage to include offsite reference materials will bring patrons to us rather than google

Staff need to bring a resource to Travis by July 10

Staff need to identify which books in SD collection can be digitized