3.4 Suppliers
Suppliers
Library suppliers offer a wide range of materials, which can be viewed in catalogues, on CD-ROM or the Internet or by bringing them into the school. A school library visit to a remote school by a library supplier is an excellent service as materials may be purchased straight away. It is essential that the supplier notifies library staff of a planned visit well in advance to ensure the proposed date for the visit is suitable and to enable library staff to alert teachers of the visit.
The new resources can be displayed in the school staff room and teaching staff have an opportunity to make recommendations for selection. This can also be a useful device for promoting the school library. Libraries can also invite students and/or parents to assist in selecting library materials. This has the added benefit of ensuring that the library stock is relevant to the users and fostering relationships between students and library staff. Often the library supplier will stay for the afternoon or day that the display is being held. Adequate security measures should be taken to ensure no displayed items are lost.
Stock may be purchased from suppliers at their location, especially if the school is located nearby to the outlet.
Before purchase, it is important to check the library catalogue to ensure an item is not already held by the library. It is also important to ensure that any new purchases fit in with the library's collection development policy. The library manager should guide the purchases.
Any items selected by teaching staff should be purchased if funds allow (professional judgement on the part of the teacher ensures that the resource is relevant to the curriculum), but if funds are running low at the time, the title may be noted and placed in a Desiderata file for future purchase.
There are basically three types of suppliers and these may provide different levels of service:
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Retailers (Booksellers/Distributors)
These are useful for commercial (popular) publications and there are some Tasmanian bookshops that specialise in providing services to school libraries.
Most retailers will:
- Supply any items which are currently available in Australia
- Order from overseas and handle any overseas payments
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Publishers/Producers
These are useful for publications in a specific subject area - ie Scholastic Press publishes material especially for school libraries
Most publishers/producers will:
- Supply only items which they publish/produce or for which they hold the Australian agency
- Immediately supply any items in stock or can give immediate information on future availability of these items.
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Wholesalers/Discount Houses
- Can only supply what is available at the time
- Can be a source of bargains, but this can encourage impulse buying.
Libraries may stick with the one supplier or they may use a variety of suppliers according to their particular needs. When choosing a supplier the following should be taken into account:
- Are they accurate in filling orders?
- Are they accurate in accounting?
- Are they willing to offer discounts?
- Is the service fast and accurate?
- Do they provide status reports?
- Will they back order?
- Do they allow for cancellation of orders?
- What is their returns policy?
- What add-on services do they provide - ie can they provide items shelf ready?
To be a good buyer the following points should be considered:
- When ordering, provide enough accurate information for the supplier to be able to identify the item
- Pay promptly
- Be specific about any instructions such as where to send goods, invoices, correspondence
- Ensure that there are sufficient funds to cover any purchases by keeping accurate records of encumbered funds
Useful website for specialist subject suppliers:
Biblioquest International for out of print or rare books
Some format specific suppliers in the educational area include:
Suppliers of equipment for use within the school library should be evaluated before purchase. Some criteria for evaluation includes:
- Price
- Capability of equipment
- Durability of equipment
- Maintenance and service back up
- Ease of use
If you are a TALIS library, check the equipment list for TALIS provided by State Library Systems Support Team.
With the increasing opportunity for online shopping, it may be possible for school library staff with access to a school credit card to purchase materials online.
Online ordering may be possible from Tasmanian distributors.
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