Drawing on recent debates about the methods of book history, this book explores in detail the foundation and development of Chetham's Library, in Manchester, from its foundation in 1655 until the end of the seventeenth century.

Vendors and Library Acquisitions is an enlightening book that addresses the sometimes troublesome relationships between acquisitions librarians and the jobbers with whom they work. Various issues are explored to establish the most efficient and satisfactory methods of selecting a vendor, the way to gain expertise in evaluating the system, and the best ways to reach a successful relationship with the vendor and the public served by the library. The book is divided into three sections, the first of which discusses the selection and evaluation of a vendor, from the vendors's point of view. The chapters in this section cover what a vendor can do, should do, and should not be expected to do. The new technologies are also mentioned, with attention paid to the ways in which they have made the job of the vendor both easier and more difficult. The second section looks at vendor selection and evaluation from the librarians’perspective. Among the topics discussed are: making sure all orders get filled, obtaining material for numerous language groups, containing serials costs, and handling approval plans. Part Three, “Approval Plans and Vendors,” is a study of the similarities that are shared between approval plans, vendors, and librarians. Detailed instructions are given on what and what not to do when setting up an acquisitions program based on approval plans. Non book types of materials are also discussed, which are currently of great interest to many libraries. This practical book will be of great assistance to anyone working with serials and/or books and vendors.

Covers pre-order checking, ordering procedures, special orders, budgets, check-in, invoices, returns, claims, continuations, outsourcing, and online e-services from suppliers.

Provides advice for libraries on acquiring printed and recorded music; including information on preordering, the ordering process, secondhand and out of print materials, and more.

Packed with discussion questions, activities, suggested additional references, selected readings, and many other features that speak directly to students and library professionals, Gregory’s Collection Development and Management for 21st Century Library Collections is a comprehensive handbook that also shares myriad insightful ideas and approaches valuable to experienced practitioners. This new second edition brings an already stellar text fully up to date, presenting top-to-bottom coverage of the impact of new technologies and developments on the discipline, including discussion of e-books, open access, globalization, self-publishing, and other trends; needs assessment, policies, and selection sources and processes; budgeting and fiscal management; collection assessment and evaluation; weeding, with special attention paid to electronic materials; collaborative collection development and resource sharing; marketing and outreach; self-censorship as a component of intellectual freedom, professional ethics, and other legal issues; diversity and ADA issues; preservation; and the future of the field. Additional features include updated vendor lists, samples of a needs assessment report, a collection development policy, an approval plan, and an electronic materials license.