Book Selection Policies in the College Library: A Reappraisal

Historically, faculty have been largely responsible for book selection in academic libraries. Not until the 1950s and early 1960s did university libraries, because of expanding budgets and publication output, alter this practice by adding staff bibliographers. Meanwhile, colleges still retain the older tradition of faculty control of book selection and book funds. Changing conditions make this practice increasingly suspect. It is time for librarians in colleges to follow the lead of their university colleagues by taking control of book funds and establishing authority over the selection process.