Some publishers in each field produce titles of such quality that selection decisions can be made solely on the basis of the publisher. Conversely, some publishers who produce marginal works are avoided, unless a certain item receives excellent reviews. The library generally avoids vanity presses, where the authors pay publication costs and do their own distribution. Self-published and desktop publishers produce works of varying quality and are seldom reviewed. These items are generally not purchased, unless the subject is in high demand, and the book is examined and found to be of merit.
Price plays a role in selection.
Price decisions are generally not made in the abstract, but in relation to the value of the item to the collection. This means that expensive video and audiocassettes on popular subjects such as sales and marketing are generally not purchased. With books, price limits mainly the selection of very expensive art books and some specialized professional texts. Often, the library will purchase a less-expensive trade paperback, rather than a very expensive trade hardback. Purchasing decisions are also affected by the discount the library will receive from our jobbers.