Developing Serials Collections in the 1990s

Managing the serials portion of collection development in research libraries demands the wisdom of Solomon and the patience of Job. The difficulties presented by variations in format, title, and quality of content; bibliographic control; escalating costs; storage; and preservation, not to mention the shifting teaching and research needs of a large campus, require a combination of bibliographer/subject specialist, economist, cataloger, preservation expert, and bibliographic instructor. The interrelationships among library staff, faculty and the library administration can be tested to their outer limits when making decisions about serials.