Evaluating Book Quality and Value

Evaluation Criteria for Books

• Quality of binding and paper, with a preference for acid-free materials.
• Readability of print is crucial for user experience.
• Special features, such as illustrations, enhance value.
• Cost considerations include price comparison with similar sources.
• Information accuracy is essential, and expert validation is beneficial.
• Impartiality ensures balanced treatment; collections should address diverse viewpoints.

Selection Criteria for Serials

• Serials, including periodicals and journals, are publications issued regularly and meant to continue indefinitely.
• Periodicals feature articles by multiple contributors and are not singular publications like newspapers.
• Journals focus on current topics and often serve official organizations.
• Magazines provide a mix of content directed at the general public.
• Memoirs offer personal accounts or historical narratives.
• Proceeding records document discussions of societies, while reports inform shareholders of financial activities.

Selection Criteria for Multimedia Materials

• Programming factors determine if the medium is for formal education or recreational purposes; identify primary audience.
• Content factors assess material organization, length, and relevance to long-term interests.
• Technical factors evaluate the necessity and quality of visuals, editing skill, and overall effectiveness in presentation.
• Verifiability involves checking for accuracy and possible validation through reliable sources.
• Currency of information is judged by publication date and update frequency.
• Balance checks for bias; authoritative positions should be recognizable.
• Appropriateness of format considers if different formats might enhance delivery.

Website Evaluation

• Effective searching mechanisms improve user experience; ease of navigation is critical.
• Download time is significant; users value a quick and efficient loading process.
• Stability of URLs ensures accessibility; changes should be communicated.
• Links must be functional and appropriately annotated to guide users.

Selection Tools for Library Materials

• Selection assistance sources provide evaluative information and lists of available titles.
• Directories help find bibliographic information for in-print and out-of-print books (e.g., "Books in Print").
• National bibliographies assist in identifying ownership of works in specific countries.

Selection Philosophies in Libraries

• Traditional Viewpoint: Prioritizes continuity and warns against acquiring materials based solely on popularity. Focuses on serving existing clientele without compromising on quality.
• Liberal Viewpoint: Advocates for change and inclusivity, encouraging broader service patterns and an active approach to information dissemination.
• Pluralist Viewpoint: Supports diverse acquisition methods, including automated selection assistance and alternative formats.

Ordering Methods for Library Materials

• Firm Order: Used for well-known necessary items; ordering based on specific titles.
• Standing Order: Continuous purchase agreement for series materials unless otherwise notified.
• Approval Plan: A selection process by which publishers supply materials fitting pre-established profiles, often with return privileges.
• Blanket Order: Agreement to receive one copy of each publication as it is released; suitable for large libraries.
• Subscription: An agreement to receive serial titles periodically, with automatic renewals until cancellation.

Invoice Notes

• Invoices provide written records from publishers detailing library materials and associated charges.