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      COWAN - BLAKLEY MEMORIAL LIBRARYUNIVERSITY OF DALLAS      

Acquisitions Policies and Procedures

This Subject Guide is intended to help the University of Dallas understand and interact with the Acquisitions department at the Cowan-Blakley Memorial Library.

Monographs

Firm orders are monograph titles that are purchased from departmental monograph funds. They are one-time purchases rather than a contractual obligation for a continuation series.

At the beginning of every fiscal year, each academic department is allotted a certain amount of money to spend on library monographs (firm orders). Department bibliographers review and coordinate requests within their departments and forward the list on to the Acquisitions department.

Our goal is to have all the funds in the department allotment expended 75% by December 31st and the entire balance expended by the end of the fiscal year. To accomplish this, all departments are requested to expend the majority of funding by mid-January or it is reassigned to another department.

The following are some of the vendors used to purchase monographs:

  • Amazon
  • ABE
  • Alibris Libraries
  • Biblio
  • Book Depository
  • Harrassowitz
  • Ingram Content
  • Marcial Pons
  • YBP Gobi

Monograph Acquisition FAQ

Why doesn't the library have these titles in its collection? They are the most basic works in my field.

The bulk of the collection reflects the needs of the University of Dallas' core curriculum. To develop the most relevant collection, we rely on faculty expertise to assist the library in identifying weak areas, what is missing, and what is no longer relevant and needs to be withdrawn from the collection. Please share your expertise with Acquisitions and your Subject Librarian Liaison. Together we can maintain and continue to develop a collection that supports the instructional and research needs of the University of Dallas.

What are the guidelines for selection?

  • Before recommending a title, please check the OPAC (online catalog) as we already have the book you seek. A recall notice can be issued if the title is checked out.
  • New monographs requested should support the academic department's curriculum first and faculty research second.
  • Textbooks will not be ordered unless it is the only option available for the information or it is considered a classic work.
  • Duplicate copies may be ordered in special circumstances, usually high or anticipated high usage. Please notify Acquisitions of any requests for multiple copies.
  • Title must be at the appropriate format/reading level for the University of Dallas. Juvenile titles will not be ordered.
  • Item should be affordable. Check with your department bibliographer and/or chair if the item requested is expensive.

What information is needed to request a title?

At the bare minimum, the following should be included:

  • Title
  • Author, translator, or editor
  • Edition or publication year
  • ISBN if known

Why does it occasionally take a long time for the library to procure the books I requested?

If the requested title is a RUSH item, please note this on the request. If it is needed for course reserves, please note the class name, course number, professor's name, and type of reserve requested.

There are many factors that affect the speed at which the Library is able to obtain materials

  • Requested titles may be subject to a publication delay different from what is listed in a vendor catalog.
  • Requested titles available only from a foreign vendor usually have an increased time between ordering and receipt due to customs and other shipping delays.
  • Requested titles are out of print and only available through 3rd party vendors.
  • Internal procedures - each title is entered into the library system for ordering purposes and must be researched to identify the least expensive option. Once materials arrive in the library, they need to be received, processed for security and preservation, and cataloged before they appear on the shelf and in the OPAC (online catalog).