My church is the location of Southeastern Baptist Seminary student cohorts. For the first time, the leader of these cohorts asked the Enrichment Center Team to include the textbooks for a course that starts August 18. He asked us to add 16 books for the students to our collection. If the library you serve provides textbooks for students to check out, any suggestions for me and the growing number of churches, parishes, and synagogues who are starting to do such?
Thanks!
Morlee
Replies
I used to work at a university library and the collection development policiy wouldn't allow for purchase of textbooks because there were so many courses and students that the library couldn't have afforded it. If the library purchased books for one course, then to be fair it would have to be prepared to do the same for all of them. I would have to ask several questions. Is this a one time use or would it be for a longer term? What is the cost and can the library afford it? Textbooks are usually some of the most expensive books. Does the library have space for these materials? What is the policy for non-return of books? Is this material available digitally? Can it be linked from the library's catalog? The mission of the university library is to support the curriculum, but it's up to each library to determine the level of support.