Page 160 - DLIS003_LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT

Unit 9: Acquisition Section

Notes
sealed them and prepares the lists of books that need binding. Then classification
number is fixed on the books that do not need binding and send them to the library
and put them on the shelves.
2. Promoting the Jordanian Authors through purchasing their books under specific
conditions and controls.
3. Enriching gift and exchange Section through the purchase of books from authors.
4. Co-ordination with other sections in the National Library to identify the necessary
and important cultural resources that its purchase can benefit in enriching the public
library.
5. Select books that need technical treatment and sending them to Indexing and
Classification Section.
6. Registering books received by the National Library, regardless of their origin and
their data entry to the existing systems.
Source: http://www.nl.gov.jo/en/nl/libservicesdirectorate/pages/acquisition.aspx

9.2 Book Selection

Acquisition work includes three distinct phases of activities. Document selection is the first
phase. There are two aspects in document selection, namely, planning and procedure. These are
discussed below:

9.2.1 Planning

Planning here relates to the various preparations and arrangements you have to make to carry
out the procedure efficiently. Book selection is conditioned by three factors: demand, supply
and finance. Planning, therefore, must be mainly concerned with these factors. Demand and
supply must be known, and finance secured. Further, men and materials required for the work
need to be arranged. Echoing similar views, Ranganathan suggest that the distinctive work of
Book Selection is to be planned with reference to the following four factors: Sources, Selection,
Indent and Finance. You will examine below these aspects of planning under four heads, namely:
Ascertaining demand

Finding resources
Allocating funds
Arranging personnel

Ascertaining Demand

Since demand is a basic factor in selection you have to develop a system for ascertaining the
demand. Demand includes both expressed wants and unexpressed wants and unexpressed needs
of readers. Similarly, needs of both actual and potential readers should be taken into account.
Perhaps, the following sources can be made use of in ascertaining demand:

Statistics relating to books circulated from, and consulted in the library;
Suggestions from library staff working in the service departments;
Suggestions from readers;.

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