Recommended Reference Books for Small and Medium-sized Libraries and Media Centers

Book excerpt: An essential resource for collection development specialists in small and medium-sized libraries, this guide identifies the highest quality, most affordable, and most appropriate new reference materials in any field. This volume presents the top 550 reviews from the latest edition of American Reference Books Annual (ARBA) to give collection development librarians working in small to medium-sized libraries the best information for choosing new titles for their libraries. Overviewing the breadth of reference products (both print and online) that became available in 2013, all of the titles in Recommended Reference Books for Small and Medium-sized Libraries and Media Centers are well reviewed and have price points that will appeal to libraries on a budget. Readers can count on fair and accurate assessments because all of the reviews are written by experts in the library field and present both positive and negative aspects of the product. Each critical review is coded to clearly indicate which type of library the publication is appropriate for—C for college, P for public, and/or S for school.