There
are eight techniques of acquisition of materials by academic libraries:
are eight techniques of acquisition of materials by academic libraries:
i.
Firm orders: Orders that are determined by name specifically. For example, a
specific book, textbook, or journal that the library wants.
ii.
Standing orders: Open orders for all titles that fit a particular category or subject.
For example, these are usually developed for serials and the library knows that
it will want anything published in that particular series.
Standing orders: Open orders for all titles that fit a particular category or subject.
For example, these are usually developed for serials and the library knows that
it will want anything published in that particular series.
iii.
Approval plans: Similar to standing orders except they cover quite a few topic areas,
are sent from the vendor, and the library is only charged for the specific
titles that they accept into their collection. Under these circumstances the
library is free to return anything it does not wish to add to its collections.
A benefit to this style of ordering is that the acquisitions department can
sometimes make better decisions with the materials in hand versus an order
form.
Approval plans: Similar to standing orders except they cover quite a few topic areas,
are sent from the vendor, and the library is only charged for the specific
titles that they accept into their collection. Under these circumstances the
library is free to return anything it does not wish to add to its collections.
A benefit to this style of ordering is that the acquisitions department can
sometimes make better decisions with the materials in hand versus an order
form.
iv.
Blanket orders: Largely a combination of both a firm order and an approval plan.
Blanket orders are the library making a commitment to purchase all of something.
For example, a library makes a contract with a certain publisher or vendor and
will purchase everything that this publisher or vendor has available in regards
to a topic. A benefit to this style of ordering is an automatic acquisition of
materials for a particular field, which can be especially beneficial to
specialized or academic libraries.
Blanket orders: Largely a combination of both a firm order and an approval plan.
Blanket orders are the library making a commitment to purchase all of something.
For example, a library makes a contract with a certain publisher or vendor and
will purchase everything that this publisher or vendor has available in regards
to a topic. A benefit to this style of ordering is an automatic acquisition of
materials for a particular field, which can be especially beneficial to
specialized or academic libraries.
v.
Subscriptions:Generally utilized for journals, newspapers, or other serials that a
library will acquire. Like standing and blanket orders, a library only has to
develop a contract once with a vendor or publisher and the items are
automatically delivered when printed. Often, subscriptions are for a specific
length of time and must be renewed at the end of the contract.
Subscriptions:Generally utilized for journals, newspapers, or other serials that a
library will acquire. Like standing and blanket orders, a library only has to
develop a contract once with a vendor or publisher and the items are
automatically delivered when printed. Often, subscriptions are for a specific
length of time and must be renewed at the end of the contract.
vi.
Leases: Contracts that allow access to particular resources for a period of
time. Leases are most commonly utilized with electronic resources such as
databases, journals, and web-based materials. The library is paying for access
to the material versus paying for ownership of the material.
Leases: Contracts that allow access to particular resources for a period of
time. Leases are most commonly utilized with electronic resources such as
databases, journals, and web-based materials. The library is paying for access
to the material versus paying for ownership of the material.
vii.
Gifts:In some cases libraries may allow gifts that people give to the library.
It is the job of the acquisitions department to determine whether or not the
gift will be kept and incorporated into the library’s collection. This method
is typically used by large academic institutions, and the persons giving the
gifts are mostly alumni of that institution. A library’s collection development
policy usually states whether the library accepts gifts.
Gifts:In some cases libraries may allow gifts that people give to the library.
It is the job of the acquisitions department to determine whether or not the
gift will be kept and incorporated into the library’s collection. This method
is typically used by large academic institutions, and the persons giving the
gifts are mostly alumni of that institution. A library’s collection development
policy usually states whether the library accepts gifts.
viii.
Exchanges: Exchanges can be broken into two subcategories: exchange of unwanted
duplicate/gift materials AND the exchange of new materials between libraries.
Again, the institutions that usually have a process for this type of acquiring
are larger academic or research libraries.
Exchanges: Exchanges can be broken into two subcategories: exchange of unwanted
duplicate/gift materials AND the exchange of new materials between libraries.
Again, the institutions that usually have a process for this type of acquiring
are larger academic or research libraries.
