Collection Guidelines - Other Collections

Reference Materials

Reference materials include almanacs, atlases, bibliographic tools, bibliographies, biographical resources, dictionaries, directories, encyclopedias, gazetteers, road and street directories, statistical resources, style guides and manuals, and yearbooks.

The reference collection provides authoritative, high demand information resources to meet clients' immediate needs for information. Materials for this collection are designed for quick consultation and ease of use and are not available for loan. A limited amount of duplication is required in order to provide adequate resources at each campus. Low use reference materials are normally located in the lending or journal collections. Historical backsets of print reference materials will only be retained when they have ongoing value to the research or teaching curriculum of the University and are not available electronically.

Electronic information resources have become an important source of authoritative and current reference information. Where possible and appropriate, web-based resources are preferred to maximise access for University staff and students. Exceptions may exist due to accessibility, usability, pricing or technical issues related to the electronic format.

Key resources may be identified for retention in the print reference collection even when available electronically. Decisions will be made by each campus on a title by title basis after assessing client needs and expected use.

Selection and deselection of reference resources is consistent with the Library Collection Guidelines regarding subject scope and the Deselection (Weeding) Guidelines.

Types of reference resources

Indexes and abstracts

Indexes and abstracts are normally provided in electronic format.

Almanacs

Key almanacs are provided in the reference collection to meet ready reference requirements but are normally not duplicated. A range of different almanacs are provided across campuses. Some almanacs may also be provided in electronic format. If superseded versions are considered to be of continued relevance, they are normally located in the journal collection.

Atlases (Geographic)

A selection of up to date atlases are held in the reference collection. Other atlases are located in the lending collection.

Bibliographic Tools

Bibliographic tools are mainly provided in electronic format. Each campus may also make available in the reference collection a print copy of key resources such as Dewey Decimal Classification, Library of Congress Subject Headings etc.

Bibliographies

High demand versions of these are located in the reference collection. Low demand items still of relevance are normally located in the lending collection. A range of bibliographies is also available electronically.

Biographical resources

Key high demand general biographical resources such as Who's Who are located in the reference collection and/or provided electronically. Other discipline specific biographical resources are located in the reference collection.

Dictionaries

Key, high demand dictionaries such as English Language dictionaries are located in the reference collection and electronically. Relevant bilingual dictionaries and relevant subject dictionaries are located in the reference collection. Other dictionaries may be located in the lending collection.

Directories

Selected key, high demand current directories of people, organisations or services, listed alphabetically or thematically, are provided in the reference collection or electronically.

Encyclopedias

A current edition of a key, high demand general encyclopedia will be provided both in the reference collection and electronically. Specific high demand subject encyclopedias may be provided in print format in the reference collection or electronically as appropriate. Low demand subject encyclopedias may be located in the lending collection. Previous editions of print encyclopedia are normally not retained unless a specific reason exists.

Gazetteers

Key gazetteers are only retained in the reference collection if they complement other geographic resources. A range of gazetteers are also available electronically.

Phone Books

Australian white and yellow page phone books are available electronically. The need to also retain key, high demand print copies in the reference collection will be decided by each campus based on client needs and expected use.

Road and Street directories

A current edition of Melbourne Street directory, VicRoads Country Street Directory of Victoria and other capital city street directories will be located in the reference collection at each campus with superseded editions to be placed in the lending collection. Road and street information is also available electronically.

Statistical resources

Up to date statistical resources for Australia and the world will largely be provided in electronic format. Some quick reference, high demand or key statistical resources will be located in the reference collection such as Year book Australia or Census data. Other statistical materials may be located in the lending or journal collection.

Style guides and manuals

The latest edition of the Deakin University publication 'Guide to Assignment Writing and referencing' and other high demand style guides will be located in the reference collection. The latest edition of the other guides commonly referred to (eg. Harvard, Chicago etc) will also be located in the reference collection. Additional copies and low demand guides or manuals will be located in the lending collection.

Yearbooks

Key yearbooks and fact books are provided in the reference collection to meet ready reference requirements. Some key yearbooks and fact books may also be provided in electronic format. A range of different yearbooks and fact books are provided across the campus collections with minimal duplication. If superseded versions are considered to be of value, they may be located in the journal collection.