Is there such a thing as a universal "Patron Request" form for libraries?
Next to buying books, I love asking the public library to acquire them for their collections. Does anyone know of a generic, all-purpose “patron request form” that would be accepted by most libraries?
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6 Answers
Everyone has their own system, I’m afraid.
most libraries have their own way to handle patron new book requests. ask at circulation.
I’m pretty sure the above are all correct; branches all have their own systems, unfortunately.
You could always draft a letter, and leave it with blanks (as a template), so that all you have to do is fill in the information about the book and sign it for the librarians to act on…
I have to concur with all of the above, but as suggested you could make up your own form. I would try to leave it with one of the librarians who orders books rather than the circulation staff. You might also include a copy of a print review of the book you are suggesting for purchase; it will make your suggestion easier to evaluate.
I also concur. While I’m not a selector, I work at a library and Patron suggestions are great! There are some online catalogs that have a suggestion for purchase link—They’ll ask Title, Author, Media type (book, audio, dvd, etc), ISBN number, Publisher, and where you heard about the item. This makes it easy for the selector to find the exact book you have in mind. They may also ask if the item is purchased would you like a hold placed on it for you or if another library in the consortium purchases it would you like a hold placed on the item. While most libraries would love to shelve every book out there things to consider will be shelf room, demand for book and if the library is part of a consortium other criteria may include circ history and requests for book.
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