ACQNET v7n011 (March 6, 1997) URL = http://www.infomotions.com/serials/acqnet/acqnet-v7n011.txt ISSN: 1057-5308 *************** ACQNET, Vol. 7, No. 11, March 6, 1997 ====================================== (1) FROM: Kimberley Walker SUBJECT: Baker & Taylor Responds to 2/25 Star Bulletin Poll (123 lines) (1)--------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 03 Mar 1997 14:05:51 -0500 (EST) From: Kimberley Walker (Baker & Taylor) Subject: Baker & Taylor Responds to 2/25 Star Bulletin Poll BAKER & TAYLOR RESPONDS TO FEBRUARY 25, STAR-BULLETIN POLL Poll Response Due to Misinformation on Issues Honolulu--Baker & Taylor Books, the company awarded a State contract to provide outsourcing collecting services for Hawaii's 49 public libraries, was not surprised by the results of the recent Honolulu Star-Bulletin poll. Since Baker & Taylor was given the green light in March 1996 by the Hawaii State Public Library System (HSPLS) to begin selecting, acquiring, cataloging, shipping and distributing, it has provided more than 70,000 units to the local libraries. As with any new project, especially one of this size, some start-up problems must be anticipated. However, many of the issues that continue to be addressed in the media are not accurate. Arnie Wight, Baker & Taylor's SVP Customized Libary Services, commented, "We acknowledge that this venture has had various challenges to overcome from many directions. But there are numerous inaccurate issues creating public misconceptions." Wright continued, "Baker & Taylor remains committed to Hawaii, and the public library patrons and librarians, to continue offering the excellent selection developed over the years within the constraints of today's reduced budget." Following are three issues that continue to be addressed which Baker & Taylor believes affected the outcome of the survey: 1. A Practical Guide to Lambing & Lamb Care: Baker & Taylor encourages library patrons to visit their local libraries to see if this selection is on the shelves. It is not. It was never sent to Hawaii. When Baker & Taylor made the 70,000 unit selection between April and June 1996, the HSPLS had not had enough time to complete its collection selection development guidelines. Due to this incomplete process, the book did appear under the agricultural category of a recommended list. In September it was removed during the selection review process conducted jointly by the HSPLS and Baker & Taylor. 2. Hawaiiana Selection: Baker & Taylor acknowledged the importance of local input in this selection area from the onset, but it is clear that more must be done. To ensure that the appropriate books were being ordered, Baker & Taylor subcontracted the Hawaiiana and Asian-Pacific selection of the contract to local book wholesaler, Booklines Hawaii. Booklines has provided Hawaiiana selections to the HSPLS from local publishers for many years. The number of Hawaiiana books to be purchased is stipulated in the HSPLS contract. It is Baker & Taylor's understanding that for the HSPLS to remain within the restraints dictated by the budget cuts, it was forced to reduce the number of new Hawaiian selections and many other categories. Since January of this year, Baker & Taylor and the HSPLS have been developing a process to include HSPLS librarians with Hawaiiana expertise to provide title selection recommendations. This new process will ensure the best selection within the contract guidelines and budget. 3. Duplicate Orders: There have been no further duplications since December 1996. Baker & Taylor acknowledges this was indeed a problem with the 1995-96 fiscal year order. However, the explanation behind the duplications has yet to be clearly defined to the residents of Hawaii. 1) The library system was required to expend its 1996 budget by June 1996 or stand to lose it, in effect throwing away the opportunity to order new materials for library patrons during this period. 2)Because of the Ameritech automation contract dispute, Baker & Taylor did not have access to the library systems current holdings until July 1996. 3) Baker & Taylor signed the contract with HSPLS on March 28, 1996 and was immediately instructed to order 60,000 units within a two month window so the funds would be used before the June deadline. The order of 60,000 units was in progress before Baker & Taylor had received the completed collection selection guidelines still under formulation at some of the 49 libraries. In an effort to balance library patrons demands for new selections and not lose its allocated budget dollars, the HSPLS chose to instruct Baker & Taylor to purchase items without access to the existing holdings and to utilize the not yet completed Hawaii library selection guidelines. Duplications occurred and continued as the orders were received over the ensuing months. Adding to an increase in duplicates, individual libraries continued the customary practice of ordering selections with their separate library funds. Baker & Taylor was unaware of these orders. Since December 1996, with access to the library system contract and new control procedures, duplicates have been eliminated. Baker & Taylor is a strong advocate of improving the communications between parties and increasing local input. It welcomes performance and contract reviews by the State Board of Education and HSPLS as a means of continually enhancing the program with the goal of offering all the services to library patrons and the taxpayers of Hawaii allowed within the limitations of the reduced HSPLS budget. Material selection is guided by the collection selection guidelines provided by Hawaii's librarians and the contract requirements. The reduced budget has created a challenge for librarians to make selections within these new monetary guidelines. And, Baker & Taylor must purchase materials to meet the contractual agreement and stay within its dictated budget. It is the goal of Baker & Taylor to serve the patrons of Hawaii's libraries by working with the HSPLS and local librarians to improve the guidelines and processes under this new procedure, creating the best possible mix of selections. In a time of budget cuts throughout Hawaii and the nation, State library systems are not surviving the budget axe. Through a competitive bid process, Baker & Taylor was awarded the outsourcing contract, promising to fulfill the quantity, type and mix of materials stipulated by the HSPLS contract. Baker & Taylor is able to provide materials selection, acquisition, cataloging, processing and distributions services at an average of $14.06 per unit less than the former process used by the HSPLS. This equates to a savings of approximately $1,293,000 a year for taxpayers. Baker & Taylor Books stands on its 169-year history of providing quality selections at competitive prices to its customers. The Baker & Taylor team includes 45 Masters of Library Sciences (MLS) degreed librarians who are responsible for collecting, selecting and cataloging. The company is the leading supplier of books, spoken-word audio and related services, ordering from more than 25,000 suppliers internationally. More than 100,000 public schools, universities and special libraries, bookstores, and government agencies worldwide rely on Baker & Taylor as their supplier. ****** END OF FILE ****** ACQNET, Vol. 7, No. 11 ****** END OF FILE ******