ABSTRACT
Reference librarians and administrators who hope to master the possibilities of reference and information services must build flexibility into planning and implementation of the reference budget. This paper emphasizes the importance of shared fiscal responsibility with a high degree of budget management delegated to the department.
Effective interpolation of departmental objectives, changing user demands, rapid developments in library technology, and the plethora of available reference materials amid prevailing fiscal exigencies presents a challenge to the most experienced professional. Cost control through ongoing evaluation of collection and services, deselection of outmoded or little used resources, careful use of staff time, and careful review of new materials is essential. Margin for change is also critical. Flexibility in the reference budget can make planning for the unexpected and the unpredictable possible and insure that the reference unit has an opportunity to innovate rather than stagnate.
