[Ed. note: ACQNET-L received a number of replies to this question - the overwhelming resource mentioned was Karen Schmidt's book, _Understanding the Business of Acquisitions_, 2nd Ed. published by the American Library Association. Below are the other replies received.] Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2003 13:06:10 -0500 From: Susan Scheiberg (Rand Corp.) <susanls_at_rand.org> Subject: Thanks for replies I want to thank everyone for their assistance in helping me to explain the scope of acquisitions librarianship to my non-acquisitions librarian colleague. Your insights have been very helpful, especially since they reinforce much of what I've already said! Many thanks again, Susan ----- Susan Scheiberg Assistant Director, Library RAND 1700 Main St. Santa Monica, CA 90407-2138 phone: 310-393-0411 ext. 6493 fax: 310-451-6920 email: susanls_at_rand.org web: http://www.rand.org Other replies:---------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2003 10:46:34 -0600 From: John Williams (Wichita State U.) <John.Williams_at_wichita.edu> Subject: Re: ACQNET: What is Acquisitions? Acquisitions is the Vale of Humility located between the two Mountains of Conceit, Cataloging and Collection Development. John H. Williams Acquisitions Mgr./Technical Services 316-978-5134 (fax) 316-978-3048 Campus Box 68 Wichita State University Library Wichita, KS 67260-0068 [If you are a law librarian...] Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2003 08:57:25 -0800 From: Janet Fischer <jfischer_at_ggu.edu> Subject: Re: ACQNET: What is Acquisitions? I view Acquisitions as Collection Development (as opposed to the technical aspects of just buying and processing materials). A good web site for basic info is here: http://aallnet.org/sis/tssis/committees/acquisitions/colldevpolicies/ Hope this helps. Janet Janet Fischer Acquisitions/Government Documents Librarian Golden Gate University Law Library 536 Mission Street San Francisco, CA 94105 phone: 415-442-7826 fax: 415-512-9395 email: jfischer_at_ggu.edu Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2003 11:11:07 -0600 From: Lucy Lockley <llockley_at_mail.win.org> Subject: Re: ACQNET: What is Acquisitions? There is a website from the Arizona State Library which has information on acquisitions under a more detailed listing for collection development. The site is a bit dated as it was produced a number of years ago (before 1998, I believe) and a number of the links included on it no longer work, but the specific site itself is still accessible online. The information might still be useful as a general overview of "what acquisitions is all about." The website address for the acquisitions section is: http://www.lib.az.us/cdt/acquis.htm Hope this is useful. Lucy M. Lockley Collection Development Manager St. Charles City-County Library St. Charles, MO [And for a UK perspective...] Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2003 13:07:25 -0800 (PST) From: Joe Toth <jjtothjr_at_yahoo.com> Subject: Re: ACQNET: What is Acquisitions? See Liz Chapman's book on the subject: _Managing Acquisitions In Library And Information Services_. She redefines pithy. --Joe Toth [An example of an Acquisitions Dept. mission...] Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2003 22:26:58 -0500 From: Daniel Phelan (Ryerson U.) <dphelan_at_ryerson.ca> Subject: Re: ACQNET: What is Acquisitions? Mission The mission of the Acquisitions/Collection Development Department is to select, purchase and license materials, information sources and services to support the [name of the institution] in providing first-rate undergraduate and graduate education and leading-edge research. Goals To develop strong collections in support of the programs of the University. Procedure By utilizing a collection development program to accommodate research and teaching priorities. By optimizing resources to balance the access, acquisition and preservation information sources. By benchmarking the current collection against the collections of similar institutions, need assessment can be documented. Assessment Management reports Measurement against "best books" lists for specific disciplines Collections surveyed to ascertain preservation needs. Results of accreditation agency evaluations. To create automated management reports to support collection management. Procedure By working with the Voyager Services staff to develop more reliable statistical reports. Assessment Statistical reports are available for Collection Development staff. To identify and use best business practices. Procedure By working with the University Business Services Office to provide purchase order/ invoice/ payment information in the most effective manner. Assessment Response from Business Services Office and vendors. To participate in networking and consortial activities. Procedure By promoting development of consortia for purposes of seeking advantagous terms from vendors and sharing resources. Assessment Additional shared resources are available. Additonal agency contracts and agreements are completed.
attached mail follows:
I want to thank everyone for their assistance in helping me to explain the scope of acquisitions librarianship to my non-acquisitions librarian colleague. Your insights have been very helpful, especially since they reinforce much of what I've already said! Many thanks again, Susan ----- Susan Scheiberg Assistant Director, Library RAND 1700 Main St. Santa Monica, CA 90407-2138 phone: 310-393-0411 ext. 6493 fax: 310-451-6920 email: susanls_at_rand.org web: http://www.rand.org <http://www.rand.org/> -------------------------------------------------------------- For information about ACQNET's editorial policies, how to subscribe/unsubscribe, and access to Archives, see: http://acqweb.library.vanderbilt.edu/acqweb/acqnet.html --------------------------------------------------------------Received on Sun Mar 30 2003 - 18:38:44 EST