Reference and Information Service Section Conference and Exhibition 6-8 September 1999, Sydney Hilton, Australia

Challenges for Reference Librarians in Electronic Collection Development.

The Collection Development role of the Reference Librarian in the Digital Age is one that needs redefining. Previously, Collection Development was always carefully constructed from known and evaluated print sources. Librarians must now select from a multitude of electronic information, using a quite different approach and criteria, often with the client on-line.

This paper examines why and how an Electronic Information Strategy has been developed at the State Library of Victoria. One of the main objectives of the strategy is to ensure Reference Librarians address the changing role of Collection Development with the consequent shift in resource allocation which will see many print reference materials become electronic within 5 years.

Liz Jesty, Service Development Manager, State Library of Victoria.