Scholarly Communication Issues

Hoffert, Barbara. "Who's Selecting Now." Library Journal. September 1, 2007, vol. 132, number 14, p. 40-43.

This article discusses the Phoenix Public Library System's decision to completely turn the selection of new materials over to its vendors. There are risks and benefits to making such a move, but the Phoenix system decided that ultimately, when staff time and tasks were considered, it was best if selection was left to the vendors, with staff having the final options to accept or deny individual items. A similar policy had previously been considered in Hawaii, but had ultimately been rejected because librarians felt that while such a move virtually guarantees the selection of best-sellers, specialized (and quite often very needed) items are often left off of vendor lists.

While the policy shocked some library patrons, the author explains that the Phoenix system spent over six years researching its selection processes and trends before reaching its decision. Today, though the process is constantly changing, the general plan seems to be running smoothly for the branch. Some problems have arisen and have been dealt with (for example, the librarians felt that the vendors were making the selection lists too branch-specific at first), but in general, the library staff is satisfied because allowing the vendors to have selection control has freed the staff's time for other projects, including collection analysis. By having more time to analyze the current collection, the librarians can me more helpful and informed when reviewing the vendor-supplied selection list.

This article raises several very interesting issues that we face as library professionals. Although it remains highly controversial, allowing vendors control over selection makes sense for some library systems. Several factors must be taken into consideration, including additional cost, objectivity of recommendations, and the argument that librarians are more familiar with the collection and customer needs if they select the items themselves. Ultimately, if a library system decides to allow vendors any say in the selection process, contracts are essential, as they outline exactly what is expected of each party.

-Sarah Beth White