It is not easy to choose between print and electronic formats because each format has its own strengths and weaknesses. Stewart (2000) states that selection criteria can help a selector to compare both information formats and make decisions to choose and purchase which format. (p.96) The traditional selection criteria are to evaluate “the content of the material; its coverage, intended audience and quality, including the reliability, accuracy and currency of the information; the authority of the author and publisher, the cost of the resource” and “the format or features that add value to the title”. (Stewart, 2000, p.83)

According to Stewart (2000), “the complexity of electronic resources” raises additional selection issues including “technology in the library, desired access method, overlap between indexed publications and the library’s collection, service implications, archival concerns” and “availability of information about new products”. (p.87) I do not work as a teacher librarian at the moment, but I would like to apply the traditional selection criteria and additional selection issues suggested by Stewart (2000) when choosing which information format to purchase. I learned that it is important to choose information resources according to their contents, not their formats. (Stewart, 2000, p.95)

Reference

Stewart, L. A. (2000). Choosing between print and electronic resources. The Reference Librarian, 34(71), 79-97.  https://doi.org/10.1300/J120v34n71_07