[Publib] textbooks

[Bruce Brigell]

We rarely purchase textbooks, although we do occasionally purchase them to boost areas where general reviews of subjects are hard to find. We also take advantage of donations of recent vintage textbooks to supplement our collections. 

Our philosophy here is simple, we want to have a few representative titles in all major academic disciplines. When students ask why we don't have the exact textbook they need, we tell them why this is not part of the public library's mission. Still, having some recent textbooks for students who want an intro. to a subject area, or for review is a worthwhile endeavor for us. 

One related issue here--

I usually proactively offer to provide locations and ILL for items we do not own, however, I do not offer to do this for patrons who inquire about the availability of textbooks. I will provide the information if asked. I justify this because I feel I am doing neither the student or owning institution [usually academic] justice in making such a referral. 

The student usually wants the book for the entire semester--and the purchasing institution usually  has the book for their own students. I certainly will provide the information if asked, but I think requesting the latest editions of textbooks via ILL is an abuse of the system. 

I have not codified this into a policy--although we have a policy of not requesting books published within the last 6 months via ILL that is useful in this situation. Does anyone have an ILL policy relating specifically to textbooks?

Bruce Brigell
Skokie Public Library
bbrigell at skokielibrary.infl

-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org on behalf of Anderson, Susan
Sent: Tue 8/29/2006 3:59 PM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] textbooks
 
  

> The library system where I work does not purchase textbooks for the collection.  We also do not add textbooks given as gifts.  This policy was created before I started working here and I'm wondering if other systems add gift textbooks to their collections.  
> 
> Thanks.
> 
> Susan Anderson
> Managing Librarian for Centralized Selection
> Austin Public Library