[Publib] Acquisitions and open/blanket purchase orders

[Jerry Carbone]

We have a new finance director who is probably going to do away with
most if not all open purchase orders for library acquisitions, i.e., we
will not be able to encumber funds for anticipated future orders and
spend down the PO. 

Instead, we will need to encumber the funds by each order we transmit to
our vendor, taking into account the back orders and inevitable
cancellations. 

There are problems with this approach especially when it comes to
standing orders on approval when we are not sure when the item will be
shipped and the costs of the item, etc. Also, the number of purchase
orders that will remain open due to back orders will be cumbersome to
say the least.

I am curious what other public libraries have in the way of restrictions
in their book and nonprint acquisitions imposed by their parent
organization, and how you have been able to work with them to make your
acquisitions as efficient as possible.

Thanks

_____________________________________________________
Jerry Carbone, Library director
Brooks Memorial Library
224 Main St.
Brattleboro,Vt. 05301
802-254-5290 ext 101
http://www.brooks.lib.vt.us