The process of obtaining materials for libraries is more complex than ever. The 1990s have witnessed dramatically reduced library budgets while the materials that libraries need have broadened immensely. Library staff must address issues of electronic publishing and licensing, automated communications with vendors, new producers of library materials, and increased possibilities for outsourcing. Stretching limited acquisitions dollars to maintain an appropriate library collection is without doubt a creative and difficult task.
This second and greatly expanded edition of Understanding the Business of Library Acquisitions provides a wealth of information about acquisitions and collection development in today's changing library world. Published by the American Library Association, it is edited by Karen Schmidt, head of acquisition and binding and coordinator for collection development, at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library. Contributors include librarians, publishers, and vendors.
Schmidt says that “the purpose of this book is to answer some deceptively easy questions that acquisitions librarians and other librarians or students of librarianship have about the process of obtaining material for their libraries” (vi). This book thoroughly documents the basic principles and practices of acquisitions, including such timeless topics as vendor selection and evaluation, approval plans, acquiring serials, gifts and exchanges, and out-of-print and antiquarian markets. A very important chapter articulates practical suggestions for successfully managing, organizing, and staffing acquisitions personnel by encouraging managers to lead by example and to “communicate, communicate, communicate.”
There are a number of areas covered in this book that are of utility and significance for even very experienced librarians. First, the chapter that deals with basic accounting theory and business practice as they relate to acquisitions provides vital information. Along related lines, there are two chapters that discuss ethical issues in acquisitions, an important but often neglected area. Also, because libraries represent a steady and reliable source of income for publishers, a thoughtful consideration of their relationship is provided, stressing that “librarians and publishers must work together synergistically to keep the channels of access open” (30).
Additionally, Understanding the Business of Library Acquisitions presents an excellent discussion of outsourcing that includes descriptions of various models that presently exist. The author of this chapter makes the interesting point that “Acquisitions itself is no longer perceived as a full-time position in many libraries” (281).
Finally, this volume offers a fine analysis of nonprint acquisitions and resources, a subject that emerges as a common thread throughout the book, in addition to a chapter that is devoted to the subject. From the vantage point of health sciences librarians, this topic is critical, because acquiring and managing electronic resources are currently particular areas of concern for them.
This compendium has appeared at a time when librarians are very much in need of up-to-date guidelines and information that will help to ensure an efficient and informed acquisitions process. It is enthusiastically recommended for purchase by all libraries, especially larger ones and academic health sciences collections. Further, it would be an appropriate textbook for a course in acquisitions, as well as a basic resource for acquisitions staff. This reviewer encourages publishers to read it so they may achieve a better understanding of acquisitions from a library perspective.