The heart of the library lies in its collection, and collections have to be built continuously. Budgetary constraints perforce stress the need for better defined collection development policy, although the ultimate goal should be an improvement of library service rather than any reduction of library cost. A written collection development policy facilitates a consistent and balanced growth of library resources, and a dynamic policy is one that evolves as the institution grows. Such as policy is based on the understanding of the needs of the community it serves and seeks to define and limit the goals and objectives of the institution. A collection development statement is not a substitute for books selection; it charts the forest but does not plant the trees. It should be used as a guidepost, not a crutch. Book selection requires judgement and the courage to choose. A sound collection development policy, on the other hand, provides the necessary rationale without which a collection may grow amoebalike, by means of pseudopodia.