Acquisitions

The Acquisitions Department of the Tomlinson Library is responsible for ordering and receiving all materials for the library.  The Acquisitions staff works in close conjunction with the faculty and the library liaisons to select, order, and report on new materials that are requested.  We also order and monitor periodical titles and handle all gift materials that are received.

How do I recommend a title to be added to the library collection?

• Fill out an order card (available from the Acquisitions Department).
• Fill out an on-line order form.
• Sign a Choice Book Review card.
• Sign an approval slip
• Send in an advertisement or publishers catalog with the item marked with your initials
• E-mail the information to the Acquisitions Department
• Include as much information as you have and send along any reviews or advertisements that you might have as well.  These items can be returned to you if you wish.

What are Choice cards?

The library subscribes to book reviews on cards from the journal, Choice, Current Reviews for Academic Libraries. These cards are routed to the departments for review and may be recommended for addition to the collection by simply initialing or signing the card and returning it to the Acquisitions Department. The Choice card will serve as the order card for the title.

What are approval slips?

The library has set up approval slip plans for several subject areas.  In doing so, the library identifies subject areas in which we are collecting and is notified whenever a new title is available in that subject area within the parameters defined by the approval plan.  These slips are sent to us weekly and are forwarded to the departments for selecting.  The slips do not contain reviews, but give subjects covered and academic level intended by the material.  You may recommend that a title be ordered by simply initialing or signing the slip and returning it to the Acquisitions Department.  The approval slip will serve as the order card for the title.

What happens to my order after it is submitted to the library?

• The request is converted to an order card if not submitted that way
• The title is checked in the on-line catalog to verify that we do not already own the title
• The title is checked against the on-order file to verify that it is not already on order
• The bibliographic information is verified to be certain that all the information is correct and complete
• The request is forwarded to the library liaison for that subject area for approval
• An order is placed with either the publisher or one of our vendors
• When the title is received, it is checked in and sent to Technical Services to be cataloged and processed
• The item is sent to Circulation Department to be shelved
• The requestor is notified that the title is available for use

How can I find out if a book is available?

You can check the Library Catalog or check our New Books List each month to see if your title has been received and processed.

How long does it take to receive and process book orders?

Books are generally received within one to three months of ordering.  However, orders remain open with the vendors for 180 days.  Any titles that cannot be supplied within that time are either canceled or reordered.  After the book is received, processing takes approximately one to two weeks.  Rush orders may be processed more quickly if needed.  If you need RUSH processing for an order, please be certain to notify the Acquisitions Department when you submit the request.

Why does the library have cutoff dates for ordering?

The library generally orders most materials between October and April of each fiscal year.  A cut off date of February 1st of each year allows us to prepare, order, and receive most materials before the end of each fiscal year.  Orders can be submitted after that date, but may be held for ordering in the next fiscal year, depending upon the budget that is available.  The library encourages year-round ordering so requests can be processed and will be ready for ordering as soon as funds are available.

How do I contact the Acquisitions Department Staff?

If you have any questions, please contact Judy Maki, Head of Library Acquisitions.

• Phone: 970.248.1436
• Fax: 970.248.1930
• E-mail: jmaki@mesastate.edu
• Office: L 230

Who is my Library Liaison and how do I contact him/her?

Here is a list of the Tomlinson Library Liaison Assignments. Please contact your liaison if you have questions concerning collection development issues.

What do I do if I wish to donate materials for the library?

The library gratefully accepts donations to the collection.  Click here for more information or click here for the donation form.  Your donations are tax deductible, however, the library cannot provide valuations of your gift.  We will acknowledge receipt of the gift by sending you a letter describing the number and type of items that you donated.  We reserve the right to retain or discard items within the Collection Development Policy of the library.  At this time, the library is actively soliciting donations of popular fiction to help build this part of the collection.