(Tucson, AZ) Pima County Public Library is proud to offer its Suggest a Purchase service, which allows customers to suggest materials they wish the Library to purchase. Until now, customers could suggest 30 items per month.
Beginning May 1, 2023, that number will be reduced to 15 titles per month. There are multiple reasons why this change is being implemented.
The small team of staff who oversees this service are also responsible for researching and ordering all of the print and digital materials (more than 1.2 million!) the Library circulates. Currently, this hardworking team is also receiving between 2,000 and 2,500 Suggest a Purchase requests per month.
Each suggested item has to be individually researched to determine if fits Library criteria, including but not limited to, proper binding, release date, and format. In addition, every request receives a manually-generated message from staff. Often, staff receive multiple requests of titles that have already been ordered.
These requests are taking a substantial amount of staff time. This is unsustainable and the Library is unable to continue the service as it has been offered in the past.
The changes being made have been weighed alongside other essential duties of our Collection Development Office. In order to maintain good customer service in other areas of development, such as making sure customers have all the new releases, hidden gems, and perennial favorites in eBook, audio, and print, the total number of titles being suggested needs to be reduced.
Other than the reduction in requested titles, the Suggest a Purchase service will remain the same. Please take a look at the criteria on the Library's website before placing a request. Please note, bestsellers and popular authors are already being ordered, so requests for those do not need to submitted. Customers may also consider looking at Interlibrary Loan service if purchase requests cannot be fulfilled.
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About Pima County Public Library
For more than 100 years, we've been here for people just like you. Today, in our libraries, online, or out in the community, our dedicated staff and volunteers are always looking ahead to help you find what you're looking for. Every day, we're making our mission a reality by educating and connecting people and inspiring ideas.
