Collection development and local documents: History and present use in the United States

The extent of city publishing is described, and the reasons why governments publish are related to the libraries' need for this material. The characteristics and types of documents and other modes of community information systems are analyzed, as is the usefulness of local documents as archival and reference material. The difficulties of collecting municipal publications, the need for regional bibliographic efforts and coordinated input into national network are also stressed. Recommendations are made on the forms and types of local documents that should be found in core collections. Patterns in the organization and collecting of local documents since the turn of the century are reviewed, including municipal reference libraries, local depository arrangements, exchange programs, special collections and neighborhood centers. The historic role of the Library of Congress in regard to local documents is evaluated. For the individual library the use of special lists, directories and major indexes are also considered. The acquisitions process and a suggested acquisitions policy are outlined with emphasis on sharing. A few comments are added on organization and classification.