Ummto4 Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 How do I suggest books to a public library (or some public libraries in my city) ? What is the process involved ? How do I know that they accept my suggestion ? Do I have to go to the central, or is it okay to go the branches ? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom In Missouri Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 Every library is different and has a different process in which they purchase or acquire books. Most libraries have a certain buyer for whatever section, children's, fiction, non-fiction, reference, etc. If you want to suggest a title or particular author, ask the librarian that you most often interact with--and ask about the process for your library. Most of the time they are more than willing to take suggestions, but actually getting the title may be more about how they purchase books and their supplier, etc. Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 Ours has an online form where you can make ILL requests for books that the library district doesn't have, and they also take suggestions for book purchases. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ummto4 Posted July 15, 2009 Author Share Posted July 15, 2009 When they buy, do they only buy for their branch ? Or do they buy, say 3 copies and send the other two to other branch which belong to the same group? Is it better to go to the central library, or to the branch ? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardening momma Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 (edited) When they buy, do they only buy for their branch ? Or do they buy, say 3 copies and send the other two to other branch which belong to the same group? Is it better to go to the central library, or to the branch ? I do my requests online--my library has a specific online form for requests. I suppose they have paper requests at each branch too. I don't think it matters which way you do it. They fulfill maybe 3 out of 5 of my requests. I have no idea which branches the books go to, and it doesn't matter to me. I go online to put books on hold, and the library gets my requested books from whichever branch is most convenient for them. ETA: their request form does ask which branch I'm requesting the book for. So I select the branch I go to the most often. They also give me the option of putting the book on hold for me if they buy it, so if it shows up on my online hold list, then I know they bought or are buying the book. Otherwise, they don't tell me if they deny the request. Edited July 15, 2009 by gardening momma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleepymommy Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 When they buy, do they only buy for their branch ? Or do they buy, say 3 copies and send the other two to other branch which belong to the same group? Is it better to go to the central library, or to the branch ? Thanks Ours has an online form you fill out. When I requested a book they did get multiple copies for the other nearby libraries that are within the same system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle in MO Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Our library has been very easy to work with: they have provided a form, and we just write down the title, author, and any other pertinent information about the book which we would like to see in the library, and almost all the time I've seen them make that book available to the library in short order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 How do I suggest books to a public library (or some public libraries in my city) ? What is the process involved ? How do I know that they accept my suggestion ? Do I have to go to the central, or is it okay to go the branches ? I am sure that if you go into your library, you will get a definite answer, but you can see on your library's website. Some libraries may tell you or put it on hold for you (my library used to do this, and occasionally I get a surprise several months after suggesting something), but they may not, so you'll have to check the catalog periodically. It just depends. I'd ask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizzyBee Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Our library system just added a place for book suggestions on their website. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brenda in FL Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Our libraries have an online form on their website. If they decide to purchase it - I know when they put it on my holds list! Unfortunatley it can take several weeks for the purchase and in service process! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dobela Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 I think it really depends on your library. Ours doesn't have any branches. It does have an online form that just asks for all the book information, my name, and why I want the book. If I say it goes with a particular homeschool curriculum they almost always buy it in at least duplicate, especially if others have requested it as well. And, when it comes in, they send me a note to let me know. A fast easy process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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