[Original posting on this topic appeared in COLLDV-L no. 1460 and was
reproduced with response #1 in COLLDV-L no. 1562.]
From: camcal_at_mail.swem.wm.edu (Carol A. McAllister)
As for the significance of the publisher in selection, I have noticed a
link between a faculty member's academic affiliation and their
assessment of a publisher's worth.
Here at William and Mary where the faculty members do a substantial
amount of the book selecting and also have books published regularly,
recommendations are often made to acquire books from those publishers
who have published the faculty members works or those of their
colleagues. The titles are sometimes published by the university press
at which the faculty member took his degree. For example, one Oxford
graduate regularly has his books published by Oxford University press.
Likewise, for a Yale graduate. Commercial publishers develop similar
working relationships.
My point is that researchers and publishers know who has a strong
reputation in a particular field and they network to promote one
another.
--
Carol A. McAllister
Swem Library, College of William and Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia 23187
Phone 757-221-3070 Fax 757-221-2635
camcal_at_mail.swem.wm.edu
Received on Thu Aug 28 1997 - 10:25:19 EDT