ABSTRACT
Information brokers can exercise a subtle but significant influence on a library’s collection development practices through the reference tools they produce. Traditionally, reference sources’ use in collection evaluation and their capacity to direct patron demand have helped shape collection building. New optical disc reference devices may have a more pronounced impact on general collections than their predecessors. The expense of the optical systems will likely reduce general collection budgets, while their potentially heavy usage could cause changes in collecting patterns. To insure that these changes will not diminish the library’s ability to serve its community, selectors will need to evaluate each system in full recognition of its broadest possible implications. Careful selection will require clearly established reference goals consistent with the library’s mission.
