ABSTRACT
Library literature is larded with references to the “balanced collection.” From the Library of Alexandria to the Library of Congress, we have aspired to attain the best in all fields of endeavor, seeking subject balance through comprehensive acquisitions. We have recognized virtue in a fair representation of opposing points of view, or of differing knowledge perspectives, as for example, the sciences and the humanities. We are concerned about equity among formats acquired and attempt to assign appropriate weights to serials and to monographs in any given discipline, and to print and non-print formats. We have not historically hobbled ourselves with the limitations of present need, but have looked to the future as well. And we have looked backward, too, to acquire publications emanating from our scholarly past and present antecedents.
