Abstract

Designed specifically for librarians new to the field of acquisitions, this preconference workshop featured an informal introduction to the basics of acquisitions librarianship from three standpoints: an acquisitions librarian, a library director with a background in acquisitions, and a regional sales manager for a key vendor to libraries for e-content and software as a solution.

The session covered a variety of issues related to the acquisition of both monographs and serials, print and e-formats, and database and backfile purchases. Discussions included similarities and differences between acquisitions and collection development (and how they can vary from library to library), ordering considerations, avoiding purchase of duplicate resources, negotiating prices and access options, licensing, selecting vendors and jobbers, what a vendor representative expects from librarians, and various services that a company’s representatives can provide to assist librarians. The presenters discussed various aspects of access versus ownership of e-books and periodicals and the impact of each on space and budgets both current and future, various ways to allocate library acquisitions funds, and suggested the best times in the annual budget cycle for different types of spending decisions.

Questions and interactive conversations were a welcome part of this open, relaxed exploration of what it means to be an acquisitions librarian in an ever changing library environment.

Share

COinS
 

Acquisitions for Newbies

Designed specifically for librarians new to the field of acquisitions, this preconference workshop featured an informal introduction to the basics of acquisitions librarianship from three standpoints: an acquisitions librarian, a library director with a background in acquisitions, and a regional sales manager for a key vendor to libraries for e-content and software as a solution.

The session covered a variety of issues related to the acquisition of both monographs and serials, print and e-formats, and database and backfile purchases. Discussions included similarities and differences between acquisitions and collection development (and how they can vary from library to library), ordering considerations, avoiding purchase of duplicate resources, negotiating prices and access options, licensing, selecting vendors and jobbers, what a vendor representative expects from librarians, and various services that a company’s representatives can provide to assist librarians. The presenters discussed various aspects of access versus ownership of e-books and periodicals and the impact of each on space and budgets both current and future, various ways to allocate library acquisitions funds, and suggested the best times in the annual budget cycle for different types of spending decisions.

Questions and interactive conversations were a welcome part of this open, relaxed exploration of what it means to be an acquisitions librarian in an ever changing library environment.