The Acquisitions Department is responsible for placing orders for and receiving all monographs and monographic standing orders. The Acquisitions Department is also responsible for receiving, handling, and responding to all gifts (except for those handled by the Serials Department). Besides handling orders and gifts, the Acquisitions Department monitors and manages the book budget and all gift funds. We are always happy to answer questions about orders, prospective orders, gifts, and the whereabouts of items received but not yet cataloged.
Who
The Collection Development Librarian approves all selections. Then requests go to the Acquisitions Department Library Assistants who place the orders. If you have unusual or costly requests, please speak with the Collection Development Librarian.
How
Requests can be sent in a variety of forms either by email or campus mail, or by leaving them at the circulation desk. You may submit your requests electronically via an interactive form (http://cat.lib.grinnell.edu/acquire). You may send us publisher's catalogs with your selections marked. We also have request slips which may be filled out with full bibliographic information--just let us know how many you need.
Be sure to include as much information as possible: ISBNs, publishers, editions, etc. If the item is rare or unusual, and you have a catalog or source, we would appreciate that information, as well. As long as whatever you send us has enough information on it so that we can locate the right item and edition, we should be able to help you.
Please indicate if you want an item placed on reserve for a class or if you will need it immediately for research or other purposes.
If you are not yet on campus, we suggest that you e-mail us a list of the items to expedite the process.
When
The earlier we receive your requests, and the clearer you are about when you need an an item, the more likely we are of meeting your needs:
Let us know when you need any material you are ordering, books, cds, dvds, etc.
Using an item for class use, reserve, research, or other immediate need? Let us know and we will strive to have it ready for you to use by the date you specify. If we run into problems because the item is hard to obtain we will let you know as soon as we have that information. If the item is for reserve, include the course number on your request.
If you want to know when something has arrived, but do not intend to check it out, you can let us know this or write “do not hold” on your request.
Rush items
We will do our best to place rush orders within 36 hours of receiving the request. Items will be cataloged upon receipt, you will be notified by email, and the item will be held for you at Burling or Kistle circulation.
Priority Catalog and Notify
Please be sure to let us know if you’d like to check out an item as soon as it arrives even if it is not a rush. You can do this by writing “priority catalog and notify” on your request. We will make sure the item is cataloged upon arrival, that you are notified by email, and the item will be held for you at Burling or Kistle circulation.
Other Important Information and Terminology
Out-of-print items can often be acquired by locating a used copy. This may also take extra time.
Check the Status of Your Order
Titles are entered into the libraries' online catalog even before they are ordered. Therefore, you may look them up at any time to check on their status. Please look at the full record to determine where your book is in the process of getting to the shelf. Here are some examples of what you'll see in the catalog record:
1 copy ordered for Stacks on 01-13-2005: This means the item was ordered on the date shown.
1 copy being processed for Stacks: This means the item is in the library but hasn't been cataloged. You may submit your request via an electronic form at http://www.lib.grinnell.edu/services/inprocessform.html or you may ask for an "in-process" slip at the circulation or reference desk and return the completed form to a reference librarian or to the circulation desk. The book should be ready for you to pick up within 24 hours. You will be notified that the book is ready to pick up by email, or you can stop by and ask at the circulation desk.
Just cataloged: This means that the book has been cataloged, but may not have made its way to the shelf yet. Please ask a librarian or someone at the circulation desk to assist you.
Not checked out: This means that the book should be on the shelf and available to be checked out. If you do not find the book on the shelf, please see a reference librarian or someone at the circulation desk so that we can search for the book.
Please contact us with any questions. We'll be watching for your requests.
Your Acquisitions Team,
Kim Gilbert, Library Assistant - gilbertk@grinnell.edu or x3350
Beth Bohstedt, Library Assistant - bohstedt@grinnell.edu or x3350
Rebecca Stuhr, Collection Development and Preservation Librarian - stuhrr@grinnell.edu or x3674
Page created February 25, 1999. Revised 1/25/05
