Fiction_L Archives how do you order popular fiction? Dates: 2/2/00,9:11 AM  through  2/5/00,9:15 AM  (11 postings) Search for: Select one or more indexes to search: 2011-current     2009-2010     2004-2008    1995-2003    (Matches from each index will be displayed separately in the results page.) Return to February 2000 thread menu   |   Fiction_L Archives Menu

FROM: "Barb Kruser" <[removed]@nileslibrary.org>
REC'D: 2/2/00, 9:11 AM

I am reevaluating the way we order fiction at my library (specifically, very
popular authors and bestsellers). I'd love to get your feedback on what you
do.

* Do you rent or purchase multiple copies of bestsellers?
* On the average, how many multiple copies do you get?
* Who is your vendor?
* Do you receive the books on a timely basis? (Does anyone get them at
the same time as bookstores?)
* If you purchase the books, do you pay to have the vendor process the
books or do you totally process the books in-house?
* How far in advance are you able to show that the book is ON ORDER in
your computer catalog?
* How do you handle patron requests that come in before the books show
ON ORDER?
* Do you have a special collection (catch-as-catch-can, bestseller,
etc) where you order copies above and beyond the copies that trigger holds?
How do you order those--same vendor? rent or buy? pay for processing?

I really appreciate your feedback.
Thanks, Barb Kruser
[removed]@nileslibrary.org

FROM: "ROBIN BEERBOWER" <[removed]@OPENGOVT.OPEN.ORG>
REC'D: 2/2/00, 11:25 AM

Barb,

This information is from the Salem Public Library in Oregon, with a
circulation of about a million items a year:

* Do you rent or purchase multiple copies of bestsellers?

We do both. Example: O is for Outlaw, we ordered 5-6 copies for
circulation and 4-5 for rental.

* On the average, how many multiple copies do you get?

Depends on the author. For Grisham, we might get 6-8 copies but have
found we need only 3 or so for Danielle Steel. We do buy 2 copies for
popular mystery writers such as Marcia Muller, John Sandford, etc. We
try to have one copy for every 5 reserves and if we find the number of
reserves is more than that we order more copies.

* Who is your vendor?

We have a standing order with Automatically Yours with Baker & Taylor
but we are fairly conservative with the number of copies that we have
with them (we designate the authors and number of copies we want).
That way we will for sure get some copies (just in case we miss a
review of a popular author and don't get it ordered on time). We then
order extra copies from Ingram's if we feel they will be needed and at
the same time order the rentals. Our rental program is a "buy-back"
program but Ingram's is no longer accepting new customers for this.

* Do you receive the books on a timely basis? (Does anyone get
them at
the same time as bookstores?)

It depends on the bestseller. Some we get at the same time as the
bookstores but of course we have to add a few days for processing. If
it's something like the new Grisham, we get them a few days to a week
later than the bookstores. I might add that all copies seem to arrive
at the same time whether we have ordered separately or they are from
the standing order

* If you purchase the books, do you pay to have the vendor
process the
books or do you totally process the books in-house?

We process our purchased copies in-house, except for the McNaughton
books we order for the branch library. Those come with jackets, etc,
but we do have to add them to our automated circulation system.

* How far in advance are you able to show that the book is ON
ORDER in
your computer catalog?

We peruse prepublication reviews, Library Journal, etc and if it is an
author who is on the B&T program, we add an order record as soon as we
know about it. It can be as soon as 3-4 months before the publication
date. We do run into problems if the book is postponed, but for the
most part, we don't receive as many complaints about a book not being
on order as we used to.

* How do you handle patron requests that come in before the
books show
ON ORDER?

If a patron is really hot for something, she fills out a "request to
purchase" form. We then place the reserve for her when we order the
book.

* Do you have a special collection (catch-as-catch-can,
bestseller,
etc) where you order copies above and beyond the copies that trigger
holds?
How do you order those--same vendor? rent or buy? pay for processing?

I think I answered this in one of the above answers; if not, let me
know.

Please feel free to email me if you any further questions.

Robin Beerbower
Salem (OR) Public Library
[removed]@open.org

FROM: "Jeanne Linn" <[removed]@libby.org>
REC'D: 2/2/00, 11:31 AM

Barb,

We are a medium sized library (I guess), but we seem small to me. We don't
get too many reserves for the same books except John Grisham's books. So if
it is a Grisham, I order one regular, one largeprint to start with. Usually
we try to order another copy for each three reserves we get, but I really
usually only order a couple more and the turnover is pretty good. People
also donate their copies often but usually after the run is over! There are
a few books that I have had to order an extra copy of, so I get it in
largeprint, but very few! Our branches tend to order the largeprint first of
these books wanting to let more folks read it that way.

Our vendor is Ingram. But we have also been using Amazon (except the
shipping and handling with Amazon has gone out of sight!),for those books
not available from Ingram. Unfortunately we haven't had very good luck with
Ingram lately, many books being out of stock or not yet received. So we are
looking into Baker and Taylor as well. The good thing about Ingram is that
they are very quick- we get the books in a few days. We do all our own
processing.

We don't show the books in our catalog as on order. Don't know if that is
possible with our system or not. We have a notebook that I put prepubs in
and then show the ones we are ordering. This is usually where our patrons
look and put their reserves in from. We just file the ones that are on
order with the others waiting in a box, then I pull them all when the order
comes in. We also have our orders on a database and mark whether it is a
reserve or not, so I know what to set aside and do first.

I keep a Bestseller prepub list going and order those books that I know will
be wanted for sure, as soon as I am able. So we usually have the books
requested as soon as they are available- except that the bookstore may beat
us a little, I am not sure. People are pretty surprised to find that we
usually have the newest stuff as soon as possible.

Jeanne Linn, Collection Management Librarian, Lincoln County Public Library,
Libby, MT

-----Original Message-----
From: Barb Kruser <[removed]@nileslibrary.org>
To: 'FictionL' <[removed]@maillist.nslsilus.org>
Date: Wednesday, February 02, 2000 9:26 AM
Subject: how do you order popular fiction?


>I am reevaluating the way we order fiction at my library (specifically,
very
>popular authors and bestsellers). I'd love to get your feedback on what you
>do.
>
>* Do you rent or purchase multiple copies of bestsellers?
>* On the average, how many multiple copies do you get?
>* Who is your vendor?
>* Do you receive the books on a timely basis? (Does anyone get them at
>the same time as bookstores?)
>* If you purchase the books, do you pay to have the vendor process the
>books or do you totally process the books in-house?
>* How far in advance are you able to show that the book is ON ORDER in
>your computer catalog?
>* How do you handle patron requests that come in before the books show
>ON ORDER?
>* Do you have a special collection (catch-as-catch-can, bestseller,
>etc) where you order copies above and beyond the copies that trigger holds?
>How do you order those--same vendor? rent or buy? pay for processing?
>
>I really appreciate your feedback.
>Thanks, Barb Kruser
[removed]@nileslibrary.org
>
>

FROM: "Kelly Joyce" <[removed]@japl.lib.in.us>
REC'D: 2/2/00, 12:39 PM

>I am reevaluating the way we order fiction at my library (specifically, very
>>popular authors and bestsellers). I'd love to get your feedback on what you
>>do.
>>
>>* Do you rent or purchase multiple copies of bestsellers?
>ANSWER: We normally order lease copies from our lease plan with Baker &
>Taylor. That way when the demand for the item has come & gone I can send
>the extra copies back. This works well for us but takes a dent out of the
>book budget, so planning ahead is vital. Our formula for ordering is 1
>lease book per 4 reserves. We run a report once a week that gives us the
>number of copies on hand & the number of reserves to date.
>
>>* On the average, how many multiple copies do you get?
>ANSWER: See above.
>
>>* Who is your vendor?
>ANSWER: Baker & Taylor for most of our collection. Good discounts, good
>service.
>
>>* Do you receive the books on a timely basis? (Does anyone get them at
>>the same time as bookstores?)
>ANSWER: We receive the items at about the same time as bookstores give or
>take a week. Ours are a bit delayed because we pay extra to have the items
>processed. This saves time when the items are received since very little
>needs to be done to them. Thus, happy patrons.
>
>>* If you purchase the books, do you pay to have the vendor process the
>>books or do you totally process the books in-house?
>ANSWER: See above. B&T processing is very reasonable & saves our library
>considerable time when the items are received. We still have to make
>labels, put on barcodes, & ID the items, but preprocessing is quite a time
>saver.
>
>>* How far in advance are you able to show that the book is ON ORDER in
>>your computer catalog?
>ANSWER: We show the item ON ORDER as soon as the record is downloaded into
>our OPAC from OCLC.
>
>>* How do you handle patron requests that come in before the books show
>>ON ORDER?
>ANSWER: If an item has not been downloaded, the circulation staff has the
>patron fill out a patron request form. If approved for ordering, this form
>comes to Tech Services & is handled as a rush item. A record is downloaded
>ASAP & has a field in the bib record flagged ON ORDER. A reserve is
>attached to the patron's record the same day the bib record is downloaded.
>
>>* Do you have a special collection (catch-as-catch-can, bestseller,
>>etc) where you order copies above and beyond the copies that trigger holds?
>ANSWER: Not sure I understand this question. The lease plan is used
>occasionally to order an item that is "iffy".
>
>>How do you order those--same vendor? rent or buy? pay for processing?
>ANSWER: If the items are ordered via the lease program, they come
>processed & are paid for monthly. If the items are ordered through the
>normal channels, they still come processed. We use Baker & Taylor for a
>good majority of our orders. The discounts are good as well as the
>service. The processing is saving us money. We don't buy as many supplies
>& don't need staff to do the time consuming processing.
>
>If you have more questions, please let me know. I've worked in
>Acquisitions for 11 years & may have an answer or two. I would love to
>learn anything you would like to share.
>
>
>
>
>
>>
>
>Terri (Martin) Wichman
>Technical Services Assistant
>Jackson County Public Library
>Seymour IN 47274
>Telephone: 812-522-3412 ext 228
>E-mail: [removed]@japl.lib.in.us
>

FROM: "Jeanne Etling" <[removed]@ccs.nsls.lib.il.us>
REC'D: 2/2/00, 1:30 PM

On Wed, 2 Feb 2000, Barb Kruser wrote:

> * Do you rent or purchase multiple copies of bestsellers?
We are a medium sized library and order, in general, 6 copies of
Danielle Steel, John Grisham and Patricia Cornwell. One of each title
will go to our Prize Pick collection which is a no holds, no renewal, 7
day collection. For Lilian Jackson Braun, Stuart Woods, Barbara Delinsky
we get 3 copies. Again, one of each will go into Prize Picks.

> * Who is your vendor?
Baker & Tayler

> * Do you receive the books on a timely basis? (Does anyone get them at
> the same time as bookstores?)
Yes, in a lot of cases. We do get some ahead of time with a request
(which we honor) to not have these available until a certain date.

> * If you purchase the books, do you pay to have the vendor process the
> books or do you totally process the books in-house?
No, we have a great TS Department.

> * How far in advance are you able to show that the book is ON ORDER in
> your computer catalog?
About 5 months, though not every book gets an oo note. I print up a
list of popular authors and they put oo notes in for those. Only the most
popular NF gets oo notes and we ask for them. We are working on oo notes
for all (at least adult) books.

> * How do you handle patron requests that come in before the books show
> ON ORDER?
We keep a paper copy. (also for items with no oo note)

> * Do you have a special collection (catch-as-catch-can, bestseller,
> etc) where you order copies above and beyond the copies that trigger holds?
Yes, our prize picks collection.

> How do you order those--same vendor? rent or buy? pay for processing?
Buy from same vendor at the same time. Barb, I keep my order in MS
Access and go through the items not yet purchased and put my order date in
the date purchased slot, then print them up. If I put F+P or M+P then our
TS knows to put 1 copy in the Prize Picks and others go into Fiction or
Mystery. If we get so many holds that I need to purchase more copies then
I may go through Baker & Taylor or I'll go to Crown (especially if they're
NYT best sellers because I'll get a good discount. We don't do any
outside processing .

HTH

> Thanks, Barb Kruser
> [removed]@nileslibrary.org

FROM: "Ann Theis" <[removed]@co.chesterfield.va.us>
REC'D: 2/2/00, 2:17 PM

We are a mid sized library system (9 libraries) located adjacent to Richmond,
VA. We have a materials budget of $850,000 and circ over 2.3 million items a
year.

Barb Kruser wrote:
* Do you rent or purchase multiple copies of bestsellers?

We purchase all our materials.

> * On the average, how many multiple copies do you get?

I end up buying in tiers based on the previous circulation by the author - top
tier (80-100+ copies) would be Cornwell, Baldacci, Grisham, etc. Then there is
a large second tier (50-60+) with Steel, Nora Roberts, Jack Higgins, Mary
Higgins Clark, Sandra Brown, etc. Then 20-40+ or so copies of authors like:
Deaver, Delinsky, Connelly, Cussler. And, 12-15 copies of authors like: James
Lee Burke, Jan Burke, Dorothy Cannell, Eric Jerome Dickey, etc.

> * Who is your vendor?

> Baker and Taylor

> * Do you receive the books on a timely basis? (Does anyone get them at

> the same time as bookstores?)

We try to preorder high demand authors and generally get them out about the time
they hit the bookstores. For example, we got THE BRETHREN out yesterday.

> * If you purchase the books, do you pay to have the vendor process the
> books or do you totally process the books in-house?

No, we can do it for less ourselves.

> * How far in advance are you able to show that the book is ON ORDER in
> your computer catalog?

Once the order is placed it is available in the catalog. I have been "pressured"
to order "big" books up to 6 months in advance, usually I order up to 2 months
in advance.

> * How do you handle patron requests that come in before the books show
> ON ORDER?

They can submit a form to us and we respond.

> * Do you have a special collection (catch-as-catch-can, bestseller,
> etc) where you order copies above and beyond the copies that trigger holds?
> How do you order those--same vendor? rent or buy? pay for processing?

Depending on the state of my budget, I look at the titles with the largest holds
queue and then add more if I can afford the cost. They are ordered and processed
the same way as other items but are rushed as adds.. My holds trigger is 5
holds per item, and is rarely activated.

Last year the average turnover rate for fiction multiple copies was 15 as
opposed to 7.3 for "regular" new fiction. Some multiple copy titles had a
turnover rate of 28.

Ann~Overbooked <A HREF="http://www.overbooked.org/">http://www.overbooked.org/</A>

FROM: "Tom Dillie" <[removed]@wadsworth.lib.oh.us>
REC'D: 2/2/00, 2:30 PM

FROM: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@nslsilus.ORG>
REC'D: 2/2/00, 5:22 PM

----------
From: Viccy Kemp <[removed]@ci.carrollton.tx.us>
To: [removed]@nslsilus.org'" <[removed]@nslsilus.org>
Subject: RE: Popular fiction
Date: Wed, Feb 2, 2000, 3:57 PM


Fellow librarians:
I was going to reply to Barb off-list, but I have been amazed at some of the
things I am reading about other libraries so I decided to add my $0.02 worth
on the list.

1. The Carrollton Public Libraries both rent and purchase popular fiction.
We receive the McNaughton magazine three months ahead of publication and I
firm order copies of popular fiction I know we will need to own and rent the
extras. In any given month, we order approximately 90 to 125 books from
McNaughton (both fiction and non-fiction).

2. Patrons can put a book on hold as soon as it shows up in the OPAC. We
rent more copies for every three holds. At times, we have had 75-80 copies
of Grisham, Steel, Nora Roberts, or other very popular authors in the
catalog. The holds lists for these authors often runs into the hundreds. The
wonderful thing is that we can then return the excess and keep what we need
(usually just the copies I firm ordered).

3. We buy from Brodart and rent from McNaughton ( a Brodart subsidiary). We
used Baker and Taylor for one year and were very disappointed in the service
and especially the fill rates we got.

4. We never receive books even close to lay down date. When I worked in the
book selling business (at a small bookstore belonging to a giant chain), we
always got customers wondering why we didn't get the books at the same time
that Sam's Warehouse did. The explanation is that the publishers ship
pallets of books to these huge vendors and don't have to break them down
into individual orders, which is labor intensive (to package all those books
into little boxes).

5. Yes, we pay the vendor to process the books. We also pay for cataloging.
Our excellent Library Support Services Cataloging Division then customizes
the cataloging and reprocesses what has to be tailored to our needs.

6. As soon as a book in ON ORDER in the catalog, it can have holds placed on
it. If it is a patron request, we can place a hold at the time it is entered
into the selection list. We use Dynix Release #180.

7. We have designed a patron request form that has patron information on one
side, such as title requested, any information the patron has about the
title, their name, phone number, etc., if they want to be put on hold and on
the other side, is the bibliographic information for ordering. When it
arrives in Acquisitions, I fill out the order information and fill it for
future reference.

8. We keep all the McNaughton titles in one area. They circulate in the same
manner as other books: three weeks, two renewals allowed in there are no
other holds. McNaughton books arrive with cataloging and processed, so they
are no problem to just upload into Dynix and they're ready to check-out.

Hope this helps. We have been very pleased with McNaughton.

Sincerely,
Viccy Kemp
The opinions are my own; the library wouldn't want 'em!

FROM: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@nslsilus.ORG>
REC'D: 2/4/00, 4:22 PM

From: "ALD (LIB)" <[removed]@omaha.lib.ne.us>

Barb,

The following information comes courtesy of Mary Griffin, Collection
Development Manager for the Omaha Public Library (NE). The system consists
of a main library and 9 branches. Our materials budget for 2000 is just
over $1,500,000 and circulation for 1999 was roughly 2,400,000.

Do you rent or purchase multiple copies of bestsellers?

Purchase only. We do not rent.

On the average, how many copies do you get?

large branches - 3-4
small branches - 1-2
Except "big" bestsellers: for example, O is for Outlaw: Main Library - 15
large branches - 12
small branches - 8-10

Who is your vendor?

Ingram and Baker & Taylor

Do you receive the books on a timely basis?

Yes, we order pre-publication and they are shipped to us on the release
date.

If you purchase the books, do you pay to have the vendor process the books
or do you totally process the books in-house?

Both Ingram and Baker & Taylor pre-process: book jackets and our supplied
barcodes only. We finish cataloging.

How far in advance are you able to show that the book is ON ORDER in your
computer catalog?

Status of ON ORDER appears as soon as the order is placed.

How do you handle patron requests that come in before the books show ON
ORDER?

Branches/departments hold the request forms but notify Collection
Development a.s.a.p. so the title can be ordered.

Do you have a special collection where you order copies above and beyond the
copies that trigger holds?

Yes, a Popular Reading collection.

How do you order those--same vendor? rent or buy? pay for processing?

Same vendor, done on the same order, purchased from a separate fund and
these copies are pre-processed as well.


HTH.

Sherry Forrest
Arts & Literature Dept.
Omaha Public Library (NE)

-----Original Message-----
From: [removed]@maillist.nslsilus.org
[<A HREF="mailto:owner-fiction_l@maillist.nslsilus.org]On">mailto:owner-fiction_l@maillist.nslsilus.org]On</A> Behalf Of Barb Kruser
Sent: Wednesday, February 02, 2000 9:17 AM
To: 'FictionL'
Subject: how do you order popular fiction?


I am reevaluating the way we order fiction at my library (specifically, very
popular authors and bestsellers). I'd love to get your feedback on what you
do.

* Do you rent or purchase multiple copies of bestsellers?
* On the average, how many multiple copies do you get?
* Who is your vendor?
* Do you receive the books on a timely basis? (Does anyone get them at
the same time as bookstores?)
* If you purchase the books, do you pay to have the vendor process the
books or do you totally process the books in-house?
* How far in advance are you able to show that the book is ON ORDER in
your computer catalog?
* How do you handle patron requests that come in before the books show
ON ORDER?
* Do you have a special collection (catch-as-catch-can, bestseller,
etc) where you order copies above and beyond the copies that trigger holds?
How do you order those--same vendor? rent or buy? pay for processing?

I really appreciate your feedback.
Thanks, Barb Kruser
[removed]@nileslibrary.org

FROM: "Ridgefield Library Fiction Room" <[removed]@biblio.org>
REC'D: 2/5/00, 9:01 AM

Here's what we do at Ridgefield Library (not that some of these practices
might be re-examined, too...):
>
>* Do you rent or purchase multiple copies of bestsellers?
We purchase exclusively -- stopped McNaughton several years ago (before my
time so I can't tell you why) -- and do get multiple copies as demand
(actual or anticipated) dictates
>* On the average, how many multiple copies do you get?
Depends completely on the author. Three copies does it for most authors,
but a Grisham or Grafton may wind up with 6 or 7. Since our new books go
out for only 7 days, this is usually enough to keep people from waiting too
long. If a book is more than 600 pages, however, we loan for the normal
(i.e. non-new book) 28 days, and I will generally wind up getting more of
these since the wait can be that much longer. Bear in mind, however, that
we are a small town library serving a population just over 20,000.
>* Who is your vendor?
We order all fiction from Baker & Taylor, some using their Automatically
Yours standing order plan and some not.
>* Do you receive the books on a timely basis? (Does anyone get them at
>the same time as bookstores?)
I am not convinced that we are getting our books as fast as we might but
have not done any formal study of this - yet. I am especially concerned
that the Automatically Yours books are very slow in coming. Does any one
else have this impression? I keep pushing more regular orders further and
further ahead of the announced pub date just to be on the safe side, but I'm
not sure how much that helps either.
>* If you purchase the books, do you pay to have the vendor process the
>books or do you totally process the books in-house?
We have B&T ship with the plastic covers, but we do all other processing in
house.
>* How far in advance are you able to show that the book is ON ORDER in
>your computer catalog?
Not at all. Our consortium system (which uses CARL) does not have an
acquisition module in place at this time (although they are promising a
miracle in this regard as they roll out pieces of a new IMDS system. SO we
don't get books into the computer until the point of cataloging. I have to
keep track in my own files of what I have ordered so I can assure patrons
that something is on the way.
>* How do you handle patron requests that come in before the books show
>ON ORDER?
Patrons are encouraged to fill out hold cards for anything they want, even
if it is not in the computer. These go to the staff person who handles
reserves, and if the book doesn't show up on the PAC, she passes the cards
along to whoever purchases that material. If, according to my records, the
book is on order, the hold card gets clipped to the paperwork for that
order, which serves to flag it for priority processing when the items arrive
and are checked off against that paperwork. If the book hasn't been
ordered, these reserve requests serve to alert me to patron demand for
something I may have overlooked. We do not YET support patron-placed holds
(coming soon)and I am not sure how we will deal electronically with requests
for items not in the PAC. Perhaps a notice asking people to e-mail their
requests.
>* Do you have a special collection (catch-as-catch-can, bestseller,
>etc) where you order copies above and beyond the copies that trigger holds?
>How do you order those--same vendor? rent or buy? pay for processing?
We don't do anything along these lines, since the 7-day loan period
generally keeps things moving pretty rapidly, and we monitor bestsellers and
other popular titles regularly to make sure we stick to our policy of
purchasing one copy for every four holds.
>

Mary Rindfleisch
Adult Services/Reader's Advisory Librarian
Ridgefield Library
Ridgefield, CT
[removed]@biblio.org

FROM: "Ridgefield Library Fiction Room" <[removed]@biblio.org>
REC'D: 2/5/00, 9:15 AM

One other point I didn't think of in my earlier reply -- since I also order
Large Print and audiobooks, I try to factor availability of these items into
my calculations of how many copies of a novel to purchase. If I am wavering
about getting an additional copy of something, I may get the LP instead and
see how well that keeps patrons satisfied.

Mary Rindfleisch
Adult Services/Reader's Advisory Librarian
Ridgefield Library
Ridgefield, CT
[removed]@biblio.org

Return to February 2000 thread menu   |   Fiction_L Archives Menu

The Webrary® and Fiction_L are services of the Morton Grove Public Library "Webrary" is a registered trademark of the Morton Grove Public Library. All rights reserved. Copyright of Fiction_L postings belongs to their respective authors; postings may only be reused with the author's permission. Compiled lists (compilations of titles or authors from earlier postings on a particular topic) may not be reused for commercial purposes. To use a compiled list for non-commercial purposes, please credit "Subscribers of the Fiction_L mailing list." All other content is ©2012 Morton Grove Public Library, 6140 Lincoln Ave., Morton Grove, IL 60053-2989, (847) 965-4220.