Acquisitions Interest Group - January 25, 2007 Meeting Notes
Goal of 72 hours average at Public Library of Cincinnati (60 hours)
Discussing beginning of the year and how that affects A.M.
Accounts closed
Being too caught up
How to handle priority - WHAT DEFINES “PRIORITY”?
Popular author
Standing order
Program
What project can fill the “slow” New Year phase?
Help with other departments (careful not to appear overstuffed)
Retro – cataloging (maintenance)
Updating serials
Cleaning records (i.e. subject headings)
Ordering/Used
Buying used (as from Amazon or used vendors such as ABE or alibris)
not a typical policy but if patrons have high request it is considered.
Depends on condition of book.
Used A.V.
Mainly Amazon (some problem with bootleg DVD’s)
Half.com, Used.com
Local options?
Worried about trouble locating exactly what is wanted because of no catalog or online access
13-Digit ISBN
Some cross over in records
Had to switch from BISEC to EDI and Email to ftp
Problems with B & T
Noticing some discrepancies in billing
Using B & T and B & T Entertainment - sometimes there is confusion between the records
How can we alleviate the ongoing problems with vendors?
Keep accurate paperwork
Switched from instant credit memos
Contact via email instead of telephone
Problems with Credit Cards (as corporate): Limited funding per month, Charges immediately (don’t get for 60 days), Charged total amount instead of individual inventory
Goals per library
Prevent going over budget
Tell vendor to stop shipments near the end of the fiscal year
Have shorter cancellation time (instead of one year cancel after 13 weeks)
Hold orders for books not published yet
Possibly try to close communication gaps between those who request, those who approve and those who order the books.
Reduce cancellation rates.
Cross training within departments.
Graphic novels (mangas)
Ratings?
Two collections (YA & Adult)
Challenges: Success with vendors
Negotiating discounts
Try price comparison
Some don’t deal directly with discounts
Promise level of business to get better discount
If necessary, cut off vendor, but always be certain to have a back-up
Should they come in pre-processed (including full MARC)
Vendors have quotas, we are faced with more outreach to switch companies now in the New Year
Leasing audiobooks
Processing: Is it cheaper or is manual labor?
Different needs for academic vs. public
Serials
EBSCO
Having one person in charge has pros and cons
Other (WTCox) vendor option - significabtly cheaper
Conferences
ALA
Networking
Meet vendors
Job opportunities
Keynote speakers
ILS
Inovator
Good for tech
Next meeting topics:
Using new materials (gifts)
Update on how New Year’s lull progressed once book orders are opened.
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