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Acquisitions

Acquisitions is the business side of libraries.  The continuous cycle of selecting titles, verifying ordering information, placing the order, purchasing the materials and paying for materials is what we refer to as acquisitions.  By following a best practice acquisitions process, the librarian can choose materials at the best price, order in the most efficient way possible and provide materials to their patrons at the earliest release date possible.

Depending on the type and size of the library, acquisitions can range from simply ordering titles on through a major vendor to working with a Purchasing Department.  Make sure that you are following all local rules or procedures on purchasing before selecting titles.

Titles from the AALS Professional Collection include Understanding the Business of Library Acquisitions, Buying Books and The RFP Process: Effective Management of the Acquisitions of Library Materials.

If you are interested in viewing a comprehensive site on acquisitions, ACQWEB is recommended.  A word of caution:    ACQWEB is undergoing a complete overhaul at this time and some of the information is dated and incorrect.  However, it still is the most complete source of acquisitions material and remains highly recommended.  A substantial list of publishers and vendors is here .  Verification tools for price listings, out-of-print, rare materials dealers and antiquarian agents are found here .  

Additionally, ACQWEB offers a list of free online reference materials here.

You can find online courses on library acquisitions through the Arizona State Library’s collection development tutorials.  The materials selection site may be viewed here - and the acquisitions site may be viewed here.

The American Library Association also offers a site on acquisitions (Association of Library Collections and Technical Services ALCTS) which may be viewed here.

The state of Texas contracts for library materials may be viewed here.

Baker & Taylor Discounts may be viewed here.