Acquisitions staff members became more comfortable using computers and by the end of the fiscal year, every staff member but two had a PC on their desk. Email became the preferred means of communication within the team. The process of integrating physical processing of materials into Acquisitions began this year. Eventually, all Marking of materials will be done in Acquisitions or in one of the cataloging teams and the Marking area will cease to exist. All books currently received are having ownership stamps and security strips applied to them before being cataloged.
New books are thus much more secure right from the beginning of the acquisitions process.
New label stock has been purchased so that call number labels can be affixed to books at the point of cataloging. Acquisitions began a 'fast cat' operation this year for approval books. All approval books with Dewey 21 call numbers in most subject areas are classified and their records added to OCLC in Acquisitions. Departmental libraries receive approval books within a week of selection. This is an improvement in service and has provided a growth opportunity for Acquisitions staff.