Management and Organization of the Acquisitions Department

Book excerpt: Here is a critical look at the changing roles of the acquisitions department and the acquisitions librarian. Management and Organization of the Acquisitions Department focuses on how acquisitions librarians functioned in the past, how technology has changed their roles today, and what they can look forward to in the future. Readers will find a variety of workable solutions for present problems and issues and will be able to meet future challenges with the same vigor and responsiveness that they have in the past. Authors address a range of pertinent topics and discuss how they have coped with problems faced by their institutions. Chapters examine: the organizational structure that must be established for successful conversion from one automated system to another the role of the acquisitions librarian in the accreditation of academic libraries the fiscal link between the acquisitions department and the parent institution's financial offices organizational changes brought about by budget and staff cuts strategies to allay the fears of acquisitions staffs and keep them involved in satisfying work during budget crises the use of student workers in acquisitions departments and how their roles have changed with the evolution of technology and methodology advantages and disadvantages of copy cataloging in the acquisitions department Individuals involved in library acquisitions departments and libraries in general must keep abreast of increasing changes in their work. Management and Organization of the Acquisitions Department is a helpful source of information and suggestions to guide professionals through turbulent times.