A Proposed Ateneo Libraries Purchasing Consortium: A Feasibility Study

Dizon, Fernan R (2004). A Proposed Ateneo Libraries Purchasing Consortium: A Feasibility Study. Unpublished Master’s Thesis. University of the Philippines, Diliman, Q.C.

Introduction

Libraries in developing countries, like the Philippines, have to find ways and means to maximize their meager book budgets. However, the increasing costs of books, together with the devaluation of Philippine peso, only made the situation worse. Forming a library-purchasing consortium is the key in facing these challenges.

The Problem

This stud aimed to determine the feasibility of establishing a purchasing consortium for the Ateneo libraries. This study was conducted to identify the possible benefits of forming a library-purchasing consortium and to ascertain whether the different Ateneo academic libraries are purchasing books at publisher’s list price.

Methodology

The study was limited to books published abroad and purchased through foreign or local book sellers. Library directors and an acquisitions librarian from five Ateneo academic libraries namely, Ateneo de manila, Ateneo de davao, Ateneo de Naga, Ateneo de Zamboanga, and Xaxier University, served as respondents for this study.

Findings

This study determined that most of the Ateneo academic libraries acquire foreign books from local and foreign book vendors and publishers; that most of the Ateneo academic libraries are not satisfied with the number of books they purchase annually; and that most of the Ateneo academic libraries do not pay the actual publisher’s list price of books purchase. Some forms, guidelines, and procedures were provided to help the respondents in starting a library-purchasing consortium.