Using Blackwell’s Collection Manager for library book selection
Most of the books added to Andruss Library’s book collection (called the ‘General Collection’) are purchased by means of an ‘approval plan’ with our book vendor Blackwell. Blackwell sends books to the Library automatically based on ‘approval plan profiles’ for each discipline, which faculty members themselves have created. Profiles are based primarily on subject parameters but also include parameters like publisher, location, cost, type or level of treatment and so on. Approval plan books are added automatically to the General Collection unless they are ‘rejected’ by the faculty library representatives.In addition to the approval plan, books are also added to the General Collection by means of ‘firm orders’; that is, specific books may be requested for purchase by faculty members. Each department is allocated a sum of money based on a formula for this purpose. This money allows departments to fill in the gaps in the Library’s General Collection for student research and curriculum-related topics.
In the past, to facilitate the selection of ‘firm orders’ each academic department has regularly received paper forms based on their ‘firm order profile’ via their 'library representative.' However, the Library has begun a transition to electronic forms, called ‘Enotes,’ which will replace the paper firm order forms at the end of Spring 2008.
What does this mean to you?
- First and foremost, no more paper slips to circulate!
- Any faculty member can request an account to access Blackwell Collection Manager, which contains publication information for books in print and forthcoming. By use of this account, you can easily let your library representative know what books you would like ordered for the Library.
- You can obtain more information about books from Enotes than from the paper slips, such as tables of contents, book jacket information, and book covers. Electronic books can also be previewed in their entirety online.
- You can 'force' forthcoming books into Andruss Library's book approval profile, which means that your department's firm order money will not be used to purchase them.
I have been working with the different science and health sciences departments to help them make the transition and have been making presentations to a number of departments, department chairs, and library representatives. Departments are handling the new system of placing firm orders in a variety of ways; we're in somewhat of an 'experimental' phase with the new system. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or comments or would like more information.
posted by Linda @ 1:07 PM
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