College and Research Libraries


especially since the developers of Leeward 
Community College's library instructional 
materials have systematically revised them 
to insure validity, reliability, and practical-
ity. It is strongly recommended that 
academic librarians desiring to initiate or 
improve their own programs buy this pub-
lication and copy freely from the 150 pages 
of teaching and testing items contained 
herein. The sample materials can easily be 
adapted to fit local needs. As a bonus, the 
authors are willing to supply additional 
materials and information, as well as con-
sultations, upon request.-Leonard Grundt, 
Nassau Community College, Garden City, 
New York. 

Hoffmann, Frank W. The Development of 
Library Collections of Sound Recordings. 
Books in Library and Information Sci-
ence, V.28. New York: Marcel Dekker, 
1979. 169p. $19.75. LC 79-23064. ISBN 
0-824 7-6858-2. 
The purpose of this text is "to provide a 

blueprint of the selection, acquisition, and 
arrangement of phonorecords and tapes in 
all types of libraries" (p. v). Essentially, the 
author seems to be concerned with current 
circulating materials, rather than archival 
and historical collections. In addition to col-
lection development, there are sections on 
audio reproduction equipment, the care and 
preservation of sound recordings, arrange-
ment and classification, and cataloging. The 
sections on collection development include 
chapters on general principles of selection, 
selection criteria, and an extremely valuable 
annotated list of periodicals to be used in 
the selection process. There is also a bib-
liography of books which the author thinks 
will be helpful in collection development 
(books on music appreciation, history, and 
guides to the repertory). 

Chapter 7 is a list of recordings for a 
basic collection. This is to serve as "merely 
a foundation." Local needs, inclinations, 
and capabilities will then determine the 
direction of the collection. The list of 1,250 
items is recommended for large university 
and public libraries, but identifies appropri-
ate items for medium-sized public and col-
lege libraries (625 items) and small public 
and school libraries (313 items). The list is 
classed by genre: blues, rhythm and blues; 

Recent Publications I 319 

classical music-chamber works, keyboard 
works, string and woodwind works, sym-
phonic works, and vocal works; country and 
western music; drama; folk music; jazz; 
musicals, movies, radio shows; opera, 
operetta, ballet, oratorio; and popular 
music. Specific recordings are recom-
mended in all cases except the classical 
genres (where only titles of compositions 
are listed with no recommendations for per-
formers). 

A notable feature of Hoffmann's work is 
his generous regard for nonclassical forms. 
On the other hand, I expect that many 
librarians would like to have more help in 
selecting specific interpretations of classical 
music. Thus Richard Halsey's book, Classic-
al Music Recordings (Chicago: American Li-
brary Assn., 1976), is still indispensable. 
Nor have other basic sources been made 
obsolescent-see, for example, the series of 
discographies by Nancy and Dean Tudor, 
American Popular Music on Elpee [sic] 
(Littleton, Colo.: Libraries Unlimited, 
1979-- ). 

One could certainly take issue with some 
of Hoffmann's predilections (e.g., his sug-
gestion that library collections should mirror 
public tastes, the lack of coverage of certain 
areas of the repertory). But these issues are 
subjective, and, all things considered, this 
is a most useful contribution to the library 
literature.-Gordon Stevenson, State Uni-
versity of New York at Albany. 

Music Library Association. Subcommittee 
on Basic Music Collection. A Basic Music 
Library: Essential Scores and Books. 
Compiled by the Music Library Associa-
tion Subcommittee on Basic Music Col-
lection. Edited by Pauline Shaw Bayne. 
Chicago: American Library Assn., 1978. 
173p. $5. LC 78-11997. ISBN 0-8389-
0281-2. 

Redfern, Brian. Organising Music in Li-
braries. 2d ed. London: Clive Bingley; 
Hamden, Conn.: Linnet Books, 197&-79. 
2v. V.1, $9.50. V.2, $12.50. LC 78-819. 
ISBN 0-85157-231-6, V.1; 0-85157-261-8, 
V.2, Bingley; 0-208-01544-2, V.1; 0-208-
01678-3, V.2, Linnet. V.1: Arrangement 
and Classification. V.2: Cataloguing. 
During the 1970s the Music Library 

Association (MLA) issued a number of