Key Points from the Lecture

1. Conceptual Framework of Acquisition:
   • Acquisition is defined not just as the process of obtaining materials but as a strategic operation that determines the relevance and responsiveness of a library’s collection to its community’s needs.
2. Roles and Responsibilities in Acquisition:
   • The acquisition involves multiple responsibilities from managing tools like bibliographies, maintaining order files, conducting bibliographical due diligence, selecting acquisition methods, overseeing resource reception, managing finances, and integrating new books into the collection.
3. Budgeting in Acquisition:
   • A carefully planned acquisition budget is vital for sustainable collection development, allowing for the maintenance of existing resources and the growth of the collection to include new subjects and technologies.
4. Acquisition Procedures:
   • The acquisition process is detailed from the collation of requests and recommendations to the final shelving of books, including steps like verification, ordering, dispatching, receiving, quality control, and processing.
5. Methods of Acquisition:
   • Beyond purchasing, libraries use donations, legal deposits, internal generation, collaborations, and exchanges to enrich their collections.
6. Real-World Application: Case Study:
   • A case study of Macmillan Publishers donating books to libraries demonstrates the practical aspects and strategic considerations of handling gifts and donations in alignment with a library’s collection policies.
7. Future of Acquisition:
   • The digital age introduces new complexities and opportunities in acquisition, challenging traditional models and necessitating innovative approaches to expand and enhance library collections.

Lecturer:
Dr. Ayodele John Alonge, the University of Ibadan, Nigeria