ACQNET v3n023 (March 10, 1993) URL = http://hegel.lib.ncsu.edu/serials/stacks/acqnet/acq-v3n023 ISSN: 1057-5308 *************** ACQNET, Vol. 3, No. 23, March 10, 1993 ====================================== (1) FROM: Christian SUBJECT: Who's new on ACQNET today (14 lines) (2) FROM: Richard Jasper SUBJECT: Acquisitions profession (70 lines) (3) FROM: Meta Nissley SUBJECT: Acquisitions profession (33 lines) (4) FROM: Thelma Diercks SUBJECT: Video suppliers (9 lines) (5) FROM: Ron Ray SUBJECT: 1993 and 1994 Feather River institutes (25 lines) (1)------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: March 10, 1993 From: Christian Subject: Who's new on ACQNET today Tschera Harkness Assistant Professor Kent State Univ. SLIS, Columbus Program E-mail: TCONNELL@MAGNUS.ACS.OHIO-STATE.EDU Sonja L. McAbee Acquisitions Librarian Jacksonville State University Library E-mail: FTF1@JSUMUS.BITNET (2)------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Sun, 07 Mar 93 16:05:03 EST From: Richard Jasper (Emory University) Subject: Working in Acquisitions All the discussion (some of it heated) regarding the nature of our work in acquisitions has been quite engaging, especially since I've been off for the past week moving my family from a rental house to our newly-purchased, 36-year-old, 2495 sq.ft. split level home in a different corner of the 30033 zip code of Decatur, GA. My staff and I routinely joke that my job consists of talking on the phone, drinking coffee, and reading my e-mail. Actually, it's not such a joke, because a good deal of what I get accomplished happens either on the phone or via e-mail and coffee is the lubricant that keeps me chugging along. Sometimes I'm hard pressed to remember from week to week what it is I'm doing, but it all falls under the heading (in my mind) of taking care of business. In a typical week that might include: -- Calling a software vendor about a point regarding the licensing of a CD-LAN product, then consulting with the university legal counsel to make sure she's willing to live with what's being proposed, then making and faxing the changes to the software vendor. -- Weekly meetings with (a) the Collections & Technical Services department heads, (b) individual Acquisitions Unit supervisors, (c) the Acquisitions Unit supervisors as a group, and (d) the head of the Collection Management Department. -- A separate meeting with colleagues in Public Services and Systems to discuss options to recommend to the Vice-Provost/Director of Libraries regarding a preferred e-mail system. Then 45 minutes with the chair of that group writing up a draft recommendation to be submitted. -- Working with the Director of Collections & Technical Services to draft a recommendation on a process for implementing a new automated system. -- Attending an annual awards ceremony honoring Emory's ten "Award of Distinction" recipients, one of whom works in the Acquisitions Department. -- Talking on the phone to vendors, publishers, the person in University Purchasing to whom an order report had been misdirected by the vendor ("Well, yes, in fact we DO send out our own purchase orders and they don't go through Purchasing..."), and colleagues around the country, especially regarding ALA matters... All of which occurs in about 45-50 hours a week. I feel guilty that I don't spend more time at it, because there is much more I could be doing that I would like to be doing. On the other hand, I have an obligation to my wife and two pre-school age children that I wouldn't be meeting (in my mind) if I spent that much time away from home. Ann Morton, the former librarian for the now defunct Division of Library and Information Management (library school) Library at Emory, gave me a very important piece of advice when I was in school, possibly the most important I received: Richard, you're right. There's no way you're going to get done in 12 hours a week (the time I had slotted as a graduate student in the DLIM library) everything I need you to get done. That's the way it is in libraries-- you never run out of work! There's no use trying to kill yourself doing it all. Considering that Ann is a very dedicated, very upright Southern Baptist woman--not the sort to ever shirk responsibility--those were very calming, reassuring words. Hang in there, folks! (3)------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: 9 Mar 1993 12:02:03 U From: Meta Nissley (CSU - Chico) Subject: Being a librarian I, too, am feeling very pushed at the moment. Usually my desk doesn't seem to be any clearer on Friday than it was on Monday. I am trying to work "smarter not harder" but that also takes a lot of energy in planning ahead. I admire all of you who are working long, dedicated hours to the profession. I agree with whoever said most of the "greats" work more than 40 hours--the exceptional do rise to the surface eventually! I am quite often conflicted in choosing to spend extra hours in the evening or on Saturdays (most often to think without interruption) or to walk away from the office without taking anything home with me and devote my complete attention to my family. Right now my family usually wins. However frustrating it is when slogging through whining, pettiness, bureaucracy and drudgery keep in mind that each of you is capable of managing successfully whatever you choose to (or have dumped on you). Occasionally you may have the luxury of seeing seeds you've sown sprout and flower, but on a day-to-day basis it can, at times, be pretty unrewarding. I do not receive any extra compensation for being a department head. I am not eligible for additional travel money. I have many more headaches because of personnel problems, state regulations and vagaries than do my "colleagues" who do not have managerial responsibilities assigned to them. Many of them put in less than 40 hours a week. When I am reviewed for promotion, I must solicit input from those I supervise as well as faculty colleagues. In other words, I have to show additional evidence that I am doing a good job as opposed to someone whose assignment includes 12 hours on the reference desk, with maybe a few office hours. Rewards on for my "work" really are few and far between. I guess it's the Zen of being an acquisitions (etc.) manager that keeps me going. (4)------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Fri, 5 Mar 1993 11:03:53 HST From: Thelma Diercks (Univ. of Hawaii) Subject: Video Vendor We purchased _FAITH RIGGOLD: THE LAST QUILT STORY_, written and directed by David Irving, created and produced by Linda Freeman; Chappaqua, NY: L & S Video Enterprises, 1991 from ROD Enterprises, 1001 S. Park Ave., Tucson, AZ 85719 phone: (602) 622-3522 fax: (602) 622-2524 (5)------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Mon, 08 Mar 1993 10:01:54 PST From: Ron L. Ray (University of the Pacific) Subject: Feather River institutes 1994 Feather River Institute, May 19-22 Despite Tom Leonhardt's blessing, many heroic offers of help, and a flurry of e-mail traffic following ALA Midwinter (much of it contributing to Joe Barker's recent long workdays), those of us most interested in continuing the Feather River Institute regretfully announce that it will not be held in 1993. To compensate for the short planning time that confronted us this year, we're getting an early start on preparing for the '94 Institute. University of the Pacific Libraries will continue to sponsor the Institute, a core planning group is forming itself and has already acted to reserve the FR site for May 19-22, 1994. Thus, Feather River will continue to provide its traditional rustic setting and rarefied atmosphere (4500 ft. above sea level) for the contemplation of acquisitions issues (and spare the Goddess Acquisina from having to depart her mountain temple and wander off to Charleston, SC in search of her disciples.) Information concerning the program for Feather River '94 will be posted to ACQNET as plans proceed. ****** END OF FILE ****** ACQNET, Vol. 3, No. 23 ****** END OF FILE ******