Issues Concerning Slavic and East European Reference Collections

Abstract

This article presents a survey of issues related to reference collections for Slavic and East European studies. It is based on the author's experience as a Slavic reference librarian at the University of Illinois (Slavic Reference Service) and the Library of Congress (European Division). Topics include weeding, reference collection policies, microforms and electronic resources in reference collections, and management of reference collections. The discussions are highlighted with comparisons of practice at the two institutions. A brief examination of an evaluation of the Bulgarian reference collection at the Library of Congress is recounted.