From the earliest discussions of the nationwide preservation challenge, it has been clear that neither time nor financial resources would permit the salvaging of all the books at risk. As a consequence, selection strategies are of paramount concern. To provide the scholarly perspective for these essential deliberations, the Commission on Preservation and Access has charged the Committee on Modern Language and Literature with the task of determining how scholars in this particular field use library materials in study and research, the types or genres of books and journals that are likely to remain of greatest importance and of least importance, and which strategies might make the selection-for-preservation process more effective for the needs of future scholars. This report, which marks the culmination of 18 months of such study by the committee, presents summaries of the types of preservation issues that were faced and the basic principles, recommendations, and actions which emerged from the committee's discussions. (MAB)