Bernardsville Library Staff Information Blog

Just a reminder that when someone fills out a request form for a new book the following happens:

1. The form is but into the ILL box
2. Pat reviews it to decide if it old enough to possibly ILL or if we might want to investigate buying it.
3. If it seems like it would be a good fit for our library or we have had other requests for the same item it is passed on to Karen V.
4. Karen V reads reviews and then submits a recommendation to buy or hold for future ILL.
5. If it is a future ILL it goes back to Pat and she calls the patron to tell them they may have to wait a few months.
6. If the item is to be purchased it goes to Karen B to add to her order.
   
7. Once it is ordered it must be cataloged and covered before it is released to the patron requesting the item. Some times this can take as long as a month.

We do our best to keep patrons up to date on what is happening but we don't always call if it is going to be ordered and added to our collection. Please make sure you don't give the impression that if they fill out the form we will buy it or that if we buy it it will be in their hands within days.

I think most people are not aware of how much work has to be done to process an item nor the work it takes to build a good and popular collection. So when taking request slips tell the patron we will consider buying or ILLing it. But if it is new it will be a while before they get the item. We will do our best to get it in their hands as quickly as possibly but it will take some time. If they specifically would like an update please put that on the slip and Karen V or I will call them depending on the outcome of our consideration.

Pat