“The most commonly used resources. . . are those found online. . .” (Terrell, p 57). Since information can so easily be accessed via the internet or databases, print materials like encyclopedias are left to sit on the shelves and gather dust. Finding information using online methods can also be a method of convenience, since not everyone has a library card or has access to a library's physical building.
However, print collections do not need to be disposed of entirely. With a smaller print collection, shelf space can be better utilized, the remaining resources can be used more often and more effectively, and allowing some of the library's budget to be used for electronic resources (Terrel, p 58).
“A reference collection development policy must be based on what is actually used often, not on what has the potential to maybe be used in the future” (Terrell, p 60). While print materials should definitely be made availabe, there should be a focus on providing quality online information.
Terrell, H. (2015). Reference is Dead, Long Live Reference: Electronic Collections in the Digital
Age. Information Technology & Libraries, 34(4), 55-62. doi:10.6017/ital.v34i4.9098
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