[Original posting on this topic is reproduced below; the responses follow it.]
From: David Ettinger <dettingr_at_gwu.edu>
In an attempt to streamline and expedite our gift book processing
procedures, we are considering the possibility of doing some kind of
preliminary screening or filtering of prospective donations. Does
anyone have any experience doing this and, if so, what are the
criteria you use?
David Ettinger, Ph.D.
International Affairs and Political Science Librarian, Gelman Library, and
Assistant Professorial Lecturer, Elliott School of International Affairs
George Washington University
2130 H St. NW
Washington, DC 20052
(202) 994-1355 (phone)
(202) 994-1340 (fax)
http://ettinger.blogspot.com
=========================================================================================================================================
(1) From: Tracie Ballock <ballockt_at_duq.edu>
I have attached a copy of the donor agreement form that I use at Duquesne
University. Hope it helps.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tracie J. Ballock
Collection Management Librarian
Gumberg Library
Duquesne University
600 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15282
(412) 396-4560 / Fax (412) 396-5639
ballockt_at_duq.edu
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
=========================================================================================================================================
(2) From: Kris Gerhard <kgerhard_at_iastate.edu>
I can't speak to our absolutely current policies, having left the
collections program nine months ago, but I can tell you what we were doing
(and might still be).
We have a bibliographer with many years of collections experience, a
wide-ranging curiosity, and a broad understanding of the wide scope of our
collection. (Let's call the person Ged). When we get large loads of gift
books that are undifferentiated and did not come directly from a specific
faculty member through the librarian for his/her dept., we set Ged loose to
do the preliminary screen. Because of Ged's background, s/he is a good
decision-maker and works through these collections pretty fast.
We have a support staff member who will search our catalog, WorldCat and
occasionally the Web for anything Ged thinks is borderline and more
information is needed in order to make a good decision. Then we sort what
remains by subject and put it out for bibliographer review.
The process saves time for the bibliographers, allows us to manage
donations within limited shelf and storage space, and generally keeps
materials moving through appropriate work flows. Of course, this is a very
specific solution--not every library will have one person with the
appropriate breadth and width of knowledge and experience to do this
sorting well--but it's worked well for us.
Kristin H. Gerhard
403 Parks Library
Collections Cataloger
Special Collections Dept.
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011
phone 515/294-3186
email kgerhard_at_iastate.edu
==========================================================================================================================================
(3) From: Danielle Kwock <daniellekwock_at_gmail.com>
I work in a non-profit special library, which means most of the books are
donated. Since our collection is very narrow, we are constantly weeding
out donations. When potential donors call, we ask them specifically what
their donation consists of. We then let them know that we can only add
books that are relevant to our collection and what our collection needs are
at the time. Any others will go in the "Book Exchange" pile or may be
donated to other organizations. My criteria is based on age, appearance,
and collection need. Our organization also created a "Top Ten" books
wishlist bookmark, which we distribute to all patrons and potential
donors. It outlines the book subjects we would like donated.
Danielle Kwock
Library Manager
Fresh Start Women's Foundation
1130 E. McDowell Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85006
Tel: 602-252-9494
<http://www.wehelpwomen.com>www.wehelpwomen.com
==========================================================================================================================================
(4) From: "Anderson, Helen" <handerson_at_library.rochester.edu>
Beyond some very obvious criteria, my best recommendation for this is to
have the person whose job responsibility this will be spend some time
reviewing incoming gifts with someone very familiar with your
collections and collecting priorities.
The basic criteria will quickly become clear as they work together and
these can be jotted down. Over time, the individual will pick up the
finer points which can also be recorded (or not). It will eventually
become clear which items can be removed from consideration entirely and
which should be referred to a collections specialist. In this way, the
person will develop the confidence which can not be gotten from simply
reviewing a list of criteria handed on from the last person working in
the position.
I am currently engaged in this very process with a new assistant. Feel
free to write to me off-list.
Helen Anderson
Head, Collection Development
River Campus Libraries
University of Rochester
Rochester, NY 14627-0055
Tel. (585) 275-3302
Fax (585) 273-1032
handerson_at_library.rochester.edu
Received on Thu May 03 2007 - 00:52:15 EDT