Evaluations of Reference Material

Tracey Steeves
CONTENT SCOPE - the breadth and depth a topic is covered in a resource
• aspects of scope include: subject, geography, and time period
• what’s the purpose of material, how current are the contents, and is any information omitted?
• Electronic – Is the information limited or is it comprehensive?

ACCURACY, AUTHORITY, AND BIAS – is author/publisher well qualified?

• Consider the objectivity and fairness of the source: Is there a bias? Is the information dependable?
• Electronic- Who provided the information and why? Are they advertising or is it scholarly?

ARRANGEMENT AND PRESENTATION –the sequence or formatting of the source

• Is the information easy to find for the user, or do you depend on the index?
• Check for the physical makeup, binding, illustrations, and layout of the resource.
• Electronic – user friendliness, appropriate for intended age group/audience, graphics, navigational links and table of
contents.

RELATION TO SIMILAR WORKS – Is this resource a good fit or necessary for the library?
• Will this resource add to the current collection or is it similar to other resources?
• Electronic – assess the time period and if it provides more information.

TIMELINESS AND PERMANENCE – Is the resource current and accurate?

• Electronic – dates can be found in header or footer. Look for revision dates and information maintenance.

ACCESSIBILITY/DIVERSITY – Resources reaching all learners

• The resource meets the diversity of the library’s users. Consider: languages, cultures, reading ability, special
learning needs.

COST – Is it worth it?

• Do the students need this resource?
• Will the resource get used frequently and for good periods of time?
• Electronic – consider: license and software costs, as well as costs to maintaining hardware.

Table 2.1: General guidelines for replacing reference materials Time

Print encyclopedias 5 years
Science books, print format, except botany and natural history 5 years
Technology related 5 years
Inventions and medicine, print format 5 years
Print psychology, history, business, and education 10 years
Newspapers and magazines, print format 5 years
Reference

Riedling, A. M., Shake, L., & Houston, C. (2013). Selection, Evaluation, and Maintenance of the Reference
Collection. In Reference Skills for the School Librarian: Tools and Tips (3rd ed., pp. 17–25). Linworth.