“They have every other book in this 57 volume manga series, how can they not have volume two?!?!”
Sometimes the library doesn’t have what you’re looking for. This can be a frustrating or confusing situation. The library is supposed to have everything, right? Sometimes it’s one part of a book series, or one movie of a particular director you’re binging. What can you do? Go to another library system if you have another card? Interlibrary Loan? Buy the thing? Go into a library branch and complain to the librarian? Yes, these are all things that one might do. But there is another option that should be considered: making a materials purchase suggestion.
The Seattle Public Library welcomes patron purchase suggestions for the collection, for books, e-books, music scores, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, and downloadable audiobooks. I consider making purchase suggestions as a part of participating in building a true community library collection. This can be a great way to fill in the aforementioned book series gap, but even more importantly, it’s a great way to help make The Seattle Public Library more relevant, local, and diverse.
While your item may be in line with the “Selection and Withdrawal of Materials” policy, The Seattle Public Library isn’t going to purchase something that’s out of print or used, so make sure it’s something that can still be purchased by checking on an online bookstore. Similarly, items more than three months in advance of publication won’t be considered.
Once you fill out the online purchase suggestion form, it takes a few weeks before the decision to purchase is made. In the meantime, make sure you have less than 50 item holds for physical items, or 25 holds for digital items, since the item will be placed on hold for you if it is added to the collection, but not if you are already at the holds limit on your account.
Thank you for your suggestions!
~posted by Mychal L.
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