The present invention is directed to methods for the production and isolation of nucleic acid molecules. In particular, the invention concerns isolation of mRNA molecules and the production and isolation of nucleic acid molecules (e.g., cDNA molecules or libraries), which may be single- or double-stranded. Additionally, the invention concerns selection and isolation of particular nucleic acid molecules of interest from a sample which may contain a population of molecules. Specifically, the invention concerns affinity-labeled primer-adapter molecules which allow improved isolation and production of such nucleic acid molecules, increasing both product recovery and speed of isolation.