CDL: Vendor topic, MLS student requests input

From: John P. Abbott <abbottjp_at_conrad.appstate.edu> Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2004 21:34:35 -0500 To: colldv-l <colldv-l_at_usc.edu>

From:     "Wayne Draper" <wdraper_at_browardlibrary.org>

I am a MLS student enrolled at University of South Florida, 
and I am conducting research for a Collection Development 
course.  My topic:  

Vendor Receptions and whether to attend them or not.

I'm looking at both pro's and con's:

PRO:  As long as vendor social events are kept at a modest level, 
librarians do not obligate themselves in any way by accepting 
such invitations and they should be free to accept an invitation 
to lunch or to attend a social mixer at a conference.

CON:  To avoid even the perception of influence, librarians 
should decline all social invitations from vendors.

It's an important topic to me, so I hope those of you involved 
in purchasing decisions for your libraries will help me out.

Please respond directly to:

wdraper_at_browardlibrary.org.