Please share your ideas. I need help!
When faculty members submit recommendation forms, do you always order what they ask for, or do you sometimes decide that a recommended item isn't a good fit for the collection? Do you have a routine in place for letting the instructors know if you will or will not be ordering what they've recommended? What do you do when an instructor will not accept that you have decided not to order what he/she wants, even after you've explained your reasons?
Gold/Diamond OA 2025: Gearing Up Part 2
1 day ago
8 comments:
I haven't had to think about not accepting their recommendations as of yet. So far, what I've seen, is that they are right on track.
I have only had 1 request that I didn't grant. The gov't instructor wants us to order the complete series of West Wing. I love West Wing, but I just don't think we should buy an entire TV series so she can show a couple episodes for her gov't class. I said that I'd get some episodes/discs on DVD if she would like. Otherwise, I order anything that fac recommends, - especially if they are using the correct forms! I feel like I have to reward them for making suggestions the proper way.
Ahem:
"My library director requires that we adhere strictly to the Collection Development Policy. She has the final say in additions and deletions from the collection. If you feel that this is a required resource, I encourage you to write a letter to the Library Director explaining why you think this items is a vital purchase for our campus"
And, by the way, I'll always back your decision.
Emily, I'm going to add your note to the e-mail for the instructor we talked about. Expect a letter from him.
Amy, I know what you mean about having faculty fill out the correct form. I finally (after many, many conversations) got a certain instructor to submit the form, but the resource he wants is by someone with dubious credentials. I have taken this instructor's recommendations for other materials, though, but he's hung up on the one I keep rejecting.
We used to have a faculty member request items that were actually for his dissertation (we were a 2 yr school at the time and it was def. beyond the curriculum). Needless to say, it was denied.
The only recommendations I have rejected were requests for text books. If they are materials that would supplement our classes I gladly support the request. I love finding gaps in the collection and faculty are great for that.
I had one instructor who wanted me to purchase a pricey reference book. Since it was available through NetLibrary, I explained why I wouldn't be purchasing a copy.
I have another instructor who has embraced my experiment of the emailed CHOICE lists and filling out the form. I've ordered all of the titles he has recommended - not solely for that reason though. These are titles that would be beneficial to the collection and were reviewed favorably. I pretty much order what is recommended- I get them so rarely - and were within reason, with that one exception. Of course this is contigent upon Dean approval and the budget as well.
I follow up with them to let them know it has been ordered. And send out a list of new additions periodically.
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