Contemporary issues bibliographies

Serially published bibliographies raise a number of issues across all areas of library operations and generate a bewildering array of policies, procedures, and problems. Initially there is the question of collection development and acquisition: Are these titles to be identified and purchased individually for their specific subject coverage, or are they to be placed on standing order? The answer to this question may depend on whether the individual titles are to be classified together as a series or separately by subject. A library may choose to purchase such series selectively or comprehensively. Sometimes the format of the series is a factor. Are the individual volumes numbered or otherwise prominently identified as part of an ongoing series, or are they a little more separate in their identity? Their physical location within a given library's collections may also be a consideration: Will they be located in the reference collection, in the general book stacks, or in a special collection or branch? Ultimately, there is the question of their access and use. Will patrons be able to find these bibliographies through public catalogs and/or indexes and abstracts (in whatever their formats), or will reference librarians have to direct users to them? The answer to this question will very likely influence how the other questions are answered.