AcquisitionsFolke Bernadotte Memorial Library

Phone: 507-933-7560
Email: acquisitions@gustavus.edu
Acquisitions Manager: Kate Sonsteby

The Acquisitions Department provides a full range of services in selecting, acquiring, and managing library content and resources. We order print, audiovisual, and electronic materials to support the coursework of the College and serve our patrons. Below, you will find links to information for acquisition services and other related resources that are helpful to building library collections.

Ordering

The Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library welcomes suggestions for materials that support teaching and study. Before submitting a suggestion, please check the library catalog to see if the material is already owned by our library. We generally do not purchase duplicates of items in the collection. A librarian may contact you about your request.

  1. Acquisition order cards are used for making suggestions regarding the library collection. Please fill out the order form as completely as possible to enable the library to correctly identify the material you would like to have purchased. All material requests should be sent to the library liaison or directly to the Acquisitions Department for approval. A supply of order cards is available in the Acquisitions Department and can be sent to departments upon request.
  2. Online ordering is available here. Please fill out the order form as completely as possible to enable the library to correctly identify the material you would like to have purchased. This form may be used for requesting books and music in any format.
  3. Rush orders will be handled as quickly as possible. Departments should be prepared for delays if the material is out of print, needs to be sourced from a foreign vendor, or may not otherwise be readily available.
Gifts of Materials to the Library

The library is pleased to accept gifts of books, recordings, and other library materials and is grateful for the consideration shown by donors. However, because of limitations on staffing, shelving space, and the need to maintain collections that directly support the curricular needs of the College, donations can be accepted only under certain conditions:

  1. The item is appropriate in subject matter to the disciplines taught at the College and to the liberal arts in general.
  2. The value of an item is predetermined by the donor (i.e., the library cannot appraise the value of material donated).
  3. The donated item is handled at the discretion of the library faculty and staff, who will determine appropriateness of subject, whether it will be added to the collection, or if its condition merits disposal to book sales, other libraries, or recycling facilities.
  4. Material donated will not be returned to the donor.

See also: Gift Books - Form.

Acquisitions Resources for Departments
  • Library liaisons work with each department to tailor library collections and services to the needs of the curriculum. Departments also designate one faculty member to work with the library.
  • Approval slips are used for some departments to assist in book selection. If your department is interested in this feature, please contact your library liaison.
  • Budget reports for each department are available upon request from the Acquisitions Manager or library liaison.
  • Library information, including a collection assessment, comparative collection data, and list of services available to researchers in the discipline, will be provided for departmental external reviews. This information can be obtained by contacting your library liaison.
  • Journal suggestions and audiovisual requests should also be made through your library liaison.
  • Streaming video requests may be made via this online form.
Searching for Books
  • Out-of-Print Materials: The library will regularly attempt to acquire out-of-print materials that are not automatically located or are canceled through the normal vendor processes. Searching for out-of-print materials is labor and time intensive, thus it will be carried out as time permits. The Acquisitions Manager and the collection development librarian will coordinate the pursuit of such items. The librarians will judge acceptable price ranges for individual titles, and reprint editions will be substituted when available, unless the requester indicates that only the original edition is acceptable.
    Common out-of-print dealers:
    1. Alibris
    2. BookFinder
    3. Amazon
  • Gustavus Adolphus College Book Mark

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