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Acquisitions Department Manual of Procedures
GENERAL INFORMATION
Following are the basic responsibilities and routines of the Acquisitions Department in the Division
of Technical Services.
1.
The Acquisitions Department is responsible for ordering and receiving approval plan and firm
book orders initiated and funded by collection managers. Materials acquired also include DVDS,
videos, microform and music scores as well as books.
2.
Orders come from approval plans and individual orders requested by collection managers, but may
also originate from interlibrary loan, ILIAD, requests which can more readily be acquired by
purchase for use. The Preservation Department also identifies books for replacement for those
damaged, or too brittle for use. In all cases collection managers fund orders before they come to
the acquisitions department for ordering.
3.
Books come in by the approval plans which send books automatically according to profiles or on
an available but not automatically sent, selection basis from collection managers. In the case of
approvals the funding is de facto because of the accepted profiles.
Specific Functions
1.
2.
Obtaining materials consists of ordering, receiving and claiming items for the library collections.
Process monographic order requests including verification of bibliographic information and
vendor selection.
3. Receive new items including the timely processing of all invoices for payment and review new
material for physical condition, location and special handling.
4. Claim material not received from vendors or obtained through appeal or purchase, material lacking
in the collection.
5. Create accurate financial reports annually or as required to facilitate expenditure of funds and to
estimate fund commitments for future fiscal years.
6. Communicate with the resource coordinators as required to successfully resolve questions.
7. Acknowledge and process gift materials to allow the resource coordinators to make informed
decisions about the disposition of these materials and to implement those decisions.
8. Maintain current information for informed and accurate acquisitions of library material.
9. Determine the correct recipient of miscellaneous mail and forward the mail promptly.
10. Efficient record-keeping, including the expertise of establishing and maintaining accounts as well
as furnishing information about library material purchases to the information seeker.
Orders can be broken down into two kinds with different procedures and variables: Firm Orders and
Approval Plan Orders. Following are the physical procedures. The profiling is handled in a separate
section at the end of this document.
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FIRM ORDERING
Firm ordering refers to library materials ordering of specifically requested materials. These include books,
DVDs and videos, music scores, and any monographic material in any other medium.
1.
The requests come from the collection managers who assign a fund number initials and a date to
each order, if paper orders. If electronic simply the name and fund number book information and
fund number is sufficient. If a “notify” is requested, i.e., notify and hold a book for a professor
when it comes in that is also indicated.
2.
Collection managers are required to check the catalog and approval database to make sure books
they request choosing themselves, or faculty request are not already on order or in the collection.
If a book is new it is important to check the approval vendor’s database to make sure it isn’t
coming on approval.
3.
Orders in any format are accepted in the Acquisitions Department. More and more they are
coming electronically from the collection manager, especially since we recently instituted a new
version of our vendor’s Collection Manager System. However orders via email or on brochures
are accepted. Those requesting old or more obscure materials are encouraged to give as much
information they have in any format they have.
4.
Print orders are deposited in a yellow box adjacent to the Acquisitions Department. It is checked
several times a day. Ordered are processed strictly in the order they are received, except for rush
orders which take precedence.
5.
Even though collection managers are asked to check titles in the catalog, acquisitions staff checks
the catalog to make sure things aren’t already in the catalog. If a book is new and is not being
ordered via the Blackwell’s interface that database is checked as well. Books may be parts of
series and sometimes the serials librarian must be consulted to make sure a book has not or will
not come in on a series. Prices are obtained from the sources listed above or from publishers’
websites.
6.
After book order records are in the system. This comes from a batched process in which individual
records for the titles are downloaded from OCLC.
7.
There is a manual system for rush books to make sure they get handled appropriately by the
vendor who gets the order, and because notify, class reserve information and other data may be
needed in the record. The orders themselves are kept in a file on the firm order assistant’s desk to
be consulted.
8.
Specific vendors who have a good record with rush orders are used. These include Louis Goldberg
and Eastern Book Company. The orders on print or printed out have a red flag attached to them if
they are handed over or put in the red box for rush orders.
9.
Books and DVDs needed immediately for class sessions or deadline research are ordered on a rush
basis.
OCLC Download of Titles to Order
Once orders have been checked to make sure they aren’t already in the collection or coming via
Blackwell’s OCLC records can be downloaded to attach an order record to them.
This is done by linking to OCLC Connexion – already set up as a direct link with the password inserted.
The title is searched by ISBN primarily, other elements if not found this way. The DLC record if there is
one is the preferable one to download. E, for export is hit to download the record, i.e. put it in the file to do
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so. The Millennium order record is attached by using the OCLC number, and then Export C is in the
record.
Firm Order Field Updates in Orders
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Location Codes sstk, rstl, music, etc.
Fund Number indicated by collection manager
Estimated Price from Collection nbFWE Stabase, brochures, Choice lists, websites, etc.
Subject is taken from fund code information from table.
Selector Name according to fund and indicated on form itself.
Notify If indicated by collection manager librarian, a “notify” is designated, such as Professor
James.
Specific Qualities Some fields in Millennium order record are changed to reflect specific qualities
of this item order/ these may be the number of volumes, format, etc.
Specific Notes are added as needed including the email address of the person to notify. Also
specific volumes of a multivolume set, if that is the case. Also the fact it is known to be out of
print is noted.
After all the above steps are completed orders are transmitted to the vendor via their specific web sites or
by email.
Vendor Website Specifics
We make use of vendor websites to track materials availability and to place orders directly in their website
system for some vendors. All these vendors have different systems, some better than other, however most
contain certain similarities. Websites for vendors change frequently, usually for the better, but require new
steps quite easily mastered.
The following are the vendors whose websites we use regularly and the specifics concerning them.
Blackwells is the vendor site we use the most - having an interface with collection managers, and from
whom we get PROMPTCAT cataloging, processing, and electronic invoicing. Procedures for this have
been laid out above. Eastern Book Company is our second most used vendors, procedures also laid out
above. For both of these vendors the database is checked for stock.
Eastern Book Company
Log in to web site put ISBN in search field. If that doesn't produce the book information, use the title. If
there is the title and inventory we know the title is in stock. If it isn't there, most US titles can be quickly
obtained by this vendor. We download the records from OCLC (see procedure outlined above and use the
electronic invoicing component. We insert price, notes, collection manager, and fund in the order record.
We put in the note field things such as vendor confirms order.
Then we queue the purchase orders for ordering, put it in a file until the last title of the batch for Eastern.
We encumber the funds queue the records and send them through FTP. We receive a confirmation that the
orders have been received.
Sending Electronic Orders via EDIFACT
To send purchase orders, you must be authorized for functions 072 (Send orders electronically) and 075
(Prt/Send PO).
KSL is set up to send purchase orders electronically in the EDIFACT format to selected vendors who are
equipped to receive them. EDIFACT orders are sent via FTS (File Transfer Software). Right now the only
vendor set-up is Eastern Book Co.
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When you queue orders to print, the system notes whether the vendor you have chosen is coded for
EDIFACT, or print orders. For those orders with a vendor coded for electronic ordering, the system places
the orders in separate files in the EDIFACT format as indicated by the code. The system holds those orders
until you select the option to send those orders electronically to the vendor. As a result, whenever an order
is created in Millennium and the vendor is coded “uebc” (Eastern Book Company) that order is set to be
transmitted to Eastern via Millennium FTP. To do this:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Choose Send under the Orders column on the left side of the window.
Select Print/Send Orders under Print Purchase Orders.
Select the x purchase orders to FTP option from the drop-down menu.
The current list of purchase orders to send via FTP displays.
You can Limit by Location or Limit by Vendor or select the check box for each purchase order
you want to send electronically. If you do not select check boxes or otherwise limit the list of
purchase orders, the system sends all purchase orders displayed in the table.
6. Choose the Ftp button.
7. In the Ftp Setup dialog, confirm if you want to Ftp all or Ftp selected purchase orders and choose
FTP. The system displays the Transfer Files screen.
8. At Host: pull down the menu and choose ftp.ebc.com from the list and choose Connect.
9. In the Login dialog, enter the Username and Password and choose OK.
10. When you are connected, the Remote list of files displays, as well as the file path for the remote
source, if there is one. The system also displays the file to be transferred in the Local list of files.
11. To FTP the file, highlight the file in the Local list and choose the Put button. The system moves
the file to the Remote list of files and changes the status bar display to 1 file(s) transferred.
12. Choose Disconnect to clear the screen and prepare the next vendor file to FTP. 9. Once you have
sent all the files, the status bar displays Vendor: NONE, All processed. Choose Close to return to
the Send queue.
Your browser may not support display of this image. When you choose Close, you exit the Transfer Files
screen and the system displays the following prompt: FTP completed. Delete processed FTP entries? [If
you choose Yes, the system deletes the purchase orders from the queue, regardless of whether they were
sent or not. If you accidentally choose Close before transferring all of the vendor files, choose No at the
prompt to retain all the purchase orders in the Send queue. Then manually delete the entries in the queue
for those purchase orders that YOU have already sent.
The toolbar and right-mouse menu allow you to edit order records and delete queued purchase orders from
the same screen you used to send them electronically. Delete sent orders. As in any table you can sort the
purchase orders by double-clicking the column header by which you want to sort on information that the
orders have been received.
Coutts Book Services
We are currently using the beta testing web site version of Oasis. It works similarly to Alibris. Terminology
is different in the site but the operation is similar. This is a vendor with whom we may next use EDIFACT.
Alibris
We download an OCLC and then search the ALIBRIS website for the book we want. Usually there are
several copies. We choose the one in the best shape for a similar price to that which is encumbered. We
transmit the orders to ALIBRIS in batches by fund number. We link the Alibris order to the Worldcat
record. We then add each title to the Alibris basket. At the checkout we also put in the log in information.
This identifies we have a library account.
Aux Amateurs de Livres International
This French vendor also has a website with inventory. We order with this vendor by email rather than
website.
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Claiming
Materials are claimed on a routine basis with the vendor, which brings in most of the missing material or
produces an answer such as “not yet published “, “out of stock temporarily”, which can be inserted in the
note field of the order. Vendors report themselves throughout the year on outstanding orders. In the
summer a summary list is run and is checked thoroughly before collection managers are consulted as to
whether to pursue supply of a title, or to simply cancel.
Receiving of Firm Order Books
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
They are unpacked in the mail room and put on book trucks with the invoicing for that shipment.
Most times there are more than one vendor’s shipments on a truck.
The truck is brought upstairs for either the firm order assistant or the approval assistant to receive.
This is based on the quantity of approval books to receive, there being sometimes of the year when
approval shipments are scant.
Each invoice is checked against each book in the shipment for accuracy. The invoice is marked
that the books are received with the order numbers and as each invoice number is completed it is
initialed and put in an area where the invoice payment assistant, attached to the financial officer in
administration comes to retrieve the invoices to pay.
The online records are changed, noting received rather than on order and estimated price to exact
price.
Any special instructions are noted and followed, and in most cases a white slip indicating order
number location etc. for the cataloging staff is put in each book. The books then go to the
cataloging department for copy or original cataloging.
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BLACKWELLS APPROVAL PLAN
The library receives many of its domestic and British books from a book approval plan with Blackwell
Book Services. The books come via automatic shipments of books supplied accordingly to profiles set by
collection managers delineating subject, cost and other variables. Setting up and working with the profiles
with collection managers is done by the Head of Acquisitions. The Head of Acquisitions is the primary
contact person between the company and librarians
Approval Materials Receiving Process
1.
Boxes of books come into the library via UPS delivery to the mail room. The approval assistant is
called to alert her to their approval arrival.
2.
The assistant unpacks the boxes and places them on a book truck with the included invoices for
the entire shipment.
3.
Books are taken to the approval area and placed on the approval area shelves for about a week for
collections managers to look at before the books are processed.
Procedures
1.
Receipt of boxes of approval plan books weekly via mailroom area of the library. During peak
periods approximately 150 to 200 books come in. They are unpacked and placed on subjectdesignated shelves in the approval area.
2.
Invoices from the boxes are taken by the approval assistant and retained in a large folder by date,
the order shipments are received. There are four copies of a form in each book and two copies of
attached slips are left in the books with the others given in date order to the approval assistant.
3.
Books stay in the approval pan area approximately a week to allow collection managers to take a
look at them. Books come preprocessed and cataloged so all books are retained for putting into the
collection.
4.
If any books appear to be out of scope and this is a pattern will liaise with the vendor customer
service and sales staff to correct the profile.
5.
Books are received online with relevant shipment and invoice together. Each book is checked off
on the invoice and the online record is updated with a few variables which cannot be put in ahead
of time. These include actual price, since the initial is an estimate, and the final will include
cataloging and processing as well as the book.
Blackwells Approval Plan and Firm Order Procedures Including Electronic Invoicing
The procedures for Blackwell’s PROMPCAT records down load, order attachment and the new electronic
invoicing component are described below. These procedures are likely to be changed with the
implementation of the new Blackwells system version
For Blackwells Firm Orders the library uses Collection Manager to export a MARC file of selection
records to Blackwells FTP server. These records include the ordering information (fund, department,
location, PO number) added when creating a request or order in Collection Manager.
You can then use Millennium's bibliographic record loader to import the file created by Collection
Manager. The loader will automatically generate bibliographic and order records in the local system in
Millennium
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To export records, you need to perform the following steps:
Queuing Titles for Export
The simplest way to queue a title record for export is to:
1.
2.
Click on the [Export] link following the title in Collection Manager.
Add optional order information to the record and then click on the Queue button. The window
will appear on the queued title.
will close and an Export icon
Example
Stuckey, Sterling. African culture and Melville's art : the creative process in Benito Cereno
and Moby-Dick / by Sterling Stuckey. Oxford University Press. 0195372700. 9780195372700. R0743997. 2009. US. USD27.95 CHOICE Recommended.
Detail | Editions | TOC | Request | Order | Export | Library notes | Other resources |
Request Date: 12 November 2008 Request By: claspy Code: HCWR Fund: 3965b Loc:
SSTK Dept: English Requested: 1
Order Date: 9 December 2008 Status: Invoiced Code: HCWR+B Fund: 3965b Loc: SSTK
NOTES Ordered: 1 Invoiced: 1 Overlay Number: R0-743997
Notes
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Any order information (fund, department, location, quantity, PO number, library code) stored in
the default fields in your Preferences will appear in the order information fields when you create
your first export for the session. Unless you edit this information manually, it will be
automatically transferred to any subsequent export created during the online session.
Any order information (fund, department, location, quantity, PO number, library code) manually
added to your first export for the session will be automatically transferred to any subsequent
export created during the online session until you change or delete it.
To retain the various embedded order data that were input at time of request and/or order, when
queuing multiple records for export, blank out the embedded order data fields on the export screen
(except for the quantity field which can be set to any value) before clicking the Queue button.
If you have tagged a number of titles to be exported and want to process them in a batch:
1.
2.
3.
4.
After creating a title list by reviewing tagged titles, click on the [Export all] link at the top of the
title list.
When the Export window opens, add optional order information.
Select desired options for action.
will be displayed
Click on the Queue button. The title list will refresh and the appropriate icon
on all the selected titles. All checkmarks will be cleared. To retain the various embedded order
data that were input at time of request and/or order, when queuing multiple records for export,
blank out the embedded order data fields on the export screen (except for the quantity field which
can be set to any value) before clicking the Queue button.
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Overlay Numbers
An Overlay number field is generated when creating a request, order and/or queuing a title for export in
Collection Manager. The Overlay number field is intended for input of a number that will enable the library
to overlay a temporary brief bibliographic record created in its Millennium system at time of order, with a
more complete OCLC PromptCat/Cataloging Partners MARC record when the order is filled. Blackwell's
includes the same overlay number in the complete MARC record provided at time of billing. Then, the
library can use the number to match and overlay the temporary brief record with the complete MARC
record, upon loading the complete MARC record.
Changing Order Information on Exports
To change the order information on a title you have already queued for export:
1.
2.
3.
beneath the title. NOTE: This is only possible if the export still has
Click on the Export icon
a status of 'Queued'. The Export window will open containing information entered when the
export was created.
Change or add the order information.
Click on the Change button to update the export. The title list will refresh and the corrected order
information will be displayed on the selected title.
Deleting Exports
To delete an export you have already created:
1.
2.
beneath the title. NOTE: This is only possible if the export has a
Click on the Export icon
status of 'Queued'. The Export window will open.
Click on the Delete button. The title list will refresh and Export icon will be removed on the
selected title.
Notes
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Changing or deleting an export is only possible if the order still has a status of 'Queued'. If you
have exported the record, it is not possible to delete the Export icon.
Exporting a File of Queued Records
To export a file of brief MARC records from Collection Manager:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Go to the Export Queued Records menu from the Export Blackwell Records from Selection
and Acquisitions menu.
If you want to review the titles queued for export, click on the List button. All of the titles ready
for the next export will display.
Enter an FTP file name in the following format: uyf785.CMO +
.Date
Click on the Export button. You will get a message confirming that the export was successful.
Checking the Status of an Export File
To check the status of an export file:
1.
2.
Go to the Review Export File Status menu by clicking on Export File Status from the Selection
and Acquisitions menu.
If the latest export file is not indicated as complete, wait a few minutes, and click on the Update
report button.
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Note: The list of files is in reversed chronological order, with the most recent file at the top. The
list contains only one month of export files.
Notes
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will be displayed for all authorized users at your library.
The Export icon
If the [Export] or [Export all] links do not appear beneath the title, please contact your library
Collection Manager administrator.
Review Export File Status
Export files are delivered to the library’s password-protected FTP directory at Blackwell’s for retrieval via
FTP. Alternatively, export files are available for download directly from Collection Manager. To download
a completed export file from Collection Manager, click on a linked (i.e., underlined) file name below to
follow the browser prompts to save the file locally or right-click on the file name to save the file.
Date
File Name
# of bytes
# of recs
Status
12 Jun 2009
uyf785.CMOTEST.DJUN12
527
1
Completed
MILLENNIUM DATA EXCHANGE (FTP) PROCEDURES for BIB and ORDER RECORDS
Get Collection Manager Exported File via Millennium Data Exchange
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Log into Millennium Acquisitions – Orders -- Import Invoices.
Click on Data Exchange icon (Left side icon under Import Invoices)
Select Process- Pull down menu and select “Program to Load INNOPAC Records from OCLC
via FTP (boftp)”
Click on GetPC (Top)
Find export file (uyf785.CMOXXX.Ddate) in Window.
Choose Upload.
Click OK
Highlight the file now called uyf785.CMOXXX.Ddate.ftp
Click Prep (Top)
Choose Start (Bottom of screen)
Close that window
Hightlight the file called uyf785.CMOXXX.Ddate.marc
Click on Load B (Top)
Click on the Load (Bottom)
Close that Window.
Highlight xxxxx.ftp and uyf785.CMOXXX.Ddate.marc and uyf785.CMOXXX.Ddate.errlog
Click on Delete (Top of screen)
Delete uyf785.CMOXXX.Ddate from MY DOCUMENTS Folder
DONE!
PromptCAT FTP EDX
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7.
Log into Millennium Acquisitions – Orders -- Import Invoices.
Click on Import Invoices (left side icon under Up one Level)
Select Import Tab
Select Get Shipment
Approval/Firm Orders button should be selected
Enter Vendor code ubnab
Click on FTP
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Pull down Host menu to select edx.oclc.org
Connect
User:
Password
OK
Click on right side folder with arrow icon
Go to Remote File Name box at bottom
Enter path name: EDX.PCAT.CWR
Select files … RCD. XXXXXX
Get
Choose a Shipment
Enter ubnab in Vendor box
Enter today’s date in Order date box
Choose a load profile from menu:
Load profile: Full bibliographic, items, and order records
Can View or test Process
Process
Delete shipment
Quit
Results: The temporary brief record will have been overlayed with the complete MARC record, upon
loading the complete PromptCat/Cataloging Partners files. There will now be one full bibliographic record,
one order record and one item record in Millennium.
The procedures for receipt of approval materials are explained in the beginning of this section for all
approval vendors and types.
Approval Plan Profiling
Since no orders per se are issued for individual titles, the book selection and supply are determined my
specifications in the subject profile for each area. Each collection manager is in charge of overseeing the
funding of orders using the money for his assigned areas. The profiles come into being and are amended by
collection managers through meetings with the acquisitions librarian and the vendor representative. Various
parameters such as price, format type, publisher, and LC classification specificity of subject are used to
narrow the profile exactly. When books are received that don’t exactly fit the needs of the collection, the
collection manager with the vendor and acquisitions librarian study the profile and refine it more exactly.
During the year cost estimates are run to give collection managers and the financial officer knowledge of
what can be expected and to make changes as needed.
When the profiles are implemented by Blackwell’s, acquisitions staff and collection management staff can
access it to see what is coming, what is not, and what they want to order as well. As the plan progresses
books are received, unpacked, placed on the shelves to be seen by collection managers. No books are
returned
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ADDITIONAL TYPES OF MATERIALS ACQUISITIONS
The following venders and services described are mostly dealt with with firm ordering. There are some
exceptions where orders are approval and firm therefore this section is appended to the main ones.
Foreign Orders
Acquisitions department acquires books from a number of countries in English and in foreign languages.
Most of these orders are firm orders from specific vendors in each country or region.
British books may come in the Blackwells approval plan, or ordered as firm orders from Coutts in Canada.
We have two approval plans for other foreign materials:
Casalini Libri – for automatically supplied and processed books in Italian, Spanish and French.
Harrssowitz – For forms alerting to publication of German books in a narrowly specified subject area.
Most orders for foreign language or for foreign published materials come as firm orders.
We use the following vendors, all with specific websites:
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Casalini Libri – Italian and Spanish books (coming cataloged and processed)
Aux Amateurs de Livres International – French books
Nedbook – Dutch and Northern European Books
Harrassowitz – Some German books
Japan Trading Company – Japanese books
Puvill – Latin American Spanish and Iberian Spanish books
Louis Goldberg - We use this vendor for orders for materials from countries other than these
specified.
Subject or Format Specific Ordering
We have one subject specific approval plan. This is a plan for automatically supplied Exhibition Catalogs,
and other art history books. These come without processing or cataloging, but according to a level of
collecting. There is a monthly forms catalog which may be used to supplement these shipments. The
vendor used for this is Worldwide Books.
Music Scores
Music scores are purchased on behalf of the Music Librarian in Haydn Hall. These are generally purchased
from two subject specific vendors: Louis Front and Broude Brothers. These require careful attention to
ordering and receiving in that the materials contain specific parts according to the music composition and
performance needs. These are for example first violin, second cello, etc.
DVDs and Videos
The policy is that DVDs are purchased if available, rather than videos, unless a faculty member specifically
wants the video.
DVDs and videos purchased are of two kinds that generally require different vendors. Many are theatrical
general release DVDs. These can be bought through various vendors, including Amazon.
Limited production and release documentaries, independent and foreign films are best acquired through
Louis Goldberg. Some specific vendors may also be used. These include California Newsreel, African
Film, Women Make Movies, and a few others.
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Special Collections
Materials are ordered through acquisitions for the Special Collections librarian. Usually specific vendors
are indicated. In every instance the books are not marked or processed, invoices paid, and records updated.
Rush Orders
As noted in item seven of the firm order section rush orders receive special handling. These are orders for
materials that are needed quickly by faculty. Most often they are books for reserve and films for classes and
must be in the collection as the students get their syllabi and reading lists for classes, and as faculty make
their class schedules in regards to DVDs. Sometime graduates students need rush ordering for new books
coming out in their subject area that they must have before they put forward their PhD dissertations
The procedures for these materials usually involve direct email or telephoning. Shipping methods vary in
accordance with how quickly the materials are needed. Some come by regular mail, UPS, or other methods.
These orders come through the collection managers as all others, and are indicated if they are paper copies
by a red cardboard flag on each order.
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VENDOR ACTIVITIES
Vendor File Maintenance
During the summer information for commonly used vendors is verified, changed as need, to update staff
member, emails, etc.
Statistics
Vendor performance and turnover statistics are compiled monthly and they give a detailed picture of the
being ordered and received, and the amount of time on an average it takes for material to come in once it is
ordered. As well, it shows what vendors are actually used each month.
The yearly ARL statistics require a total of volumes added to the collection through acquisitions. This is
garnered through the running of a list.
Blackwell approval plan statistics are substantially different than firm order and even other small approval
plan statistics. Therefore, they are best acquired from the vendor as standardized reports or as special
reports.
Vendor Selection, Negotiation, and Interaction
All ordering and receiving in acquisitions is based on the initial selection of vendors with whom we set
terms and conditions. The determination of whom we retain as suppliers is based on reliability, customer
service, error rate, and cost. This is an important operation in acquisitions since it underlies the quality of
all work that follows. The assignment of particular orders to vendors has to do with several variables. They
are their performance over all, and their use for various sub categories of materials such as trade books,
university press books, British books, foreign books, Out of Print books, DVDs, and music scores.
During the ongoing relationship of the vendor with the acquisitions department substantial contact and
communications continues, both from the library assistant staff to customer service staff of the vendor, and
by considerable interaction between the department head and corporate representatives, account managers
and executives.