Citation
Lanier, D. (2000), "The Gifts and Exchange Function in ARL Libraries", Collection Building, Vol. 19 No. 3, pp. 126-128. https://doi.org/10.1108/cb.2000.19.3.126.1
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
SPEC Kit 241 is the third to deal with the gifts and exchange (G&E) function in ARL libraries. The first was in 1976 (No. 28) and the second in 1985 (No. 117). As is the pattern for all SPEC Kits, a survey questionnaire was distributed to ARL members to elicit responses about their current G&E functions, processes and policies. In addition, the survey solicited related documentation for the functions, processes and policies from the respective libraries. The survey results are summarized as ARL SPEC Flyer 241 (2 pages) and copies of G&E documentation selected from the submissions of 62 libraries make up the bulk of the SPEC Kit.
ARL (Denning, et al.) surveyed 119 ARL institutions via email; 72 replies were received, and 62 of these were reviewed, collated and summarized for the Kit. As is no doubt true for other library functions, the G&E function is now heavily automated. Budget restrictions have had a significant impact on G&E staff levels, with some units being eliminated entirely. Organizational change that affects G&E functions is fairly common – 46 of the 62 libraries reported such organizational change since the last SPEC Kit in 1985.
Other significant findings included the review of gift policies in light of economic, personnel and space issues. For example, 26 libraries reported a decrease in exchange activity – with several pointing to the dissolution of the former Soviet Union as one factor in this. Nine libraries attributed the decline in activity to budget or staff cuts.
This SPEC Kit is organized into several sections: survey results, representative documents and selected readings. Copies of documents included in the Kit range from very simple descriptive processing statements to elaborate flow charts, policies, and manuals. For libraries and staff needing practical and comparative information about G&E processing, The Gifts and Exchange Function in ARL Libraries provides examples, models and a dose of reality about the current state of this important function for most libraries.