Albin O. Kuhn Library & Gallery

Library Liaisons Frequently Asked Questions

What is Collection Management?

Collection Management manages the materials budget allocations for:

• monographs
• media and electronic databases

and has responsibility for:

• the evaluation and disposition of gift materials
• presentation, management and continuing assessment of the overall collection.

These activities are directed by the Head of Collection Management/Interlibrary Loan under the supervision of the Library Director.

For more information please visit the Collection Management page.

What are the duties of the Liaisons?

The faculty/library liaisons:

• select and order library materials in support of the curricular and research needs of their department
• approve all book requests placed by or for their department

Additionally, each department has a Reference Librarian Liaison who may assist or serve in place of the departmental liasion. To determine your library liaison please visit the Reference Library Liaisons page. To determine academic faculty liaisons please contact individual academic departments.

How do I order materials?

• The Book Purchase Recommendation Form may be used by anyone suggesting a book for purchase. Library liaisons login as selectors and can approve or reject the materials suggested, in addition to placing orders themselves. How do I prioritize ordering?(rush, priority or collection building)

• Approval Plan ordering through BNA’s Collection Manager allows online review and ordering of Approval Plan materials. Liaisons log in to an electronic listing of titles that match departmental categories of interest, previously created in an Approval Plan profile. They select materials to be purchased for the library. This is an efficient and effective way to work toward a balanced collection. Departmental profiles are updated as needed by the library liaison and the Collection Management Librarian.

  Collection Manager Instructions for Liaisons

  Simple Collection Manager Instructions

What are the ordering deadlines?

Can I buy journals instead of books?

No. The library's responsibility is to ensure the most balanced and usable collection for all members of the UMBC community. Books are basically a one-time expenditure, while journals represent an ongoing and increasingly expensive commitment. To verify your departmental allocation for each purchase category see the Library Materials Budget Memo, sent every fall to the department chair and library liaison.

What is the role of Acquisitions?