It is advantageous for the Health Sciences Library to be the central point for departmental acquisitions in order to: a) avoid unnecessary duplication of resources between units; b) develop and maintain an acquisition record; and c) assure the best vendor and/or publisher discounts for NOSM University.
Unit Supervisors are responsible for requesting unit acquisitions by completing and submitting the Health Sciences Library Departmental Acquisitions Request Form, ensuring that the correct budget code and required authorization is included.
The Health Sciences Library is responsible for ordering the requested material at the best price possible in a timely manner. Acquisitions requests will generally be ordered within 2-3 business days of receiving the request. The contact person will be notified of the status of the request within 5 business days of receipt. Orders must be picked up at the Health Sciences Library on the campus indicated on the form. The contact person will be notified when the acquisition is ready to be picked up.
Any orders that the vendor indicates as final sale and non-returnable will be communicated with the Contact Person prior to order. Any requests for returns of such items will not be considered unless the item is damaged. All other items that need to be returned must be returned to the Health Sciences Library within 5 business days of receipt by the library.
1. My department wants to purchase material for use by the department only. What do we do?
The department needs to follow the Departmental Acquisitions Guidelines and fill out a Health Sciences Library Departmental Acquisitions Request Form. The form needs to be filled out completely ensuring that the budget authorization is complete. The form can be emailed to askthelibrary@nosm.ca or mailed to the Lakehead Campus Health Sciences Library (MSW 2007).
2. Why can’t our department just buy a book that we want from Amazon.com?
The library has accounts set up with several vendors who offer discounts on most of their items. These discounts can often bring the price down to lower than a book from an online source. Non-Canadian vendors will only be used if the item can’t be found through a Canadian vendor.
3. My department requires pricing information on an item prior to placing an order through the library. Is this possible?
Yes, please email askthelibrary@nosm.ca with the title information. The library will email back the price and availability of the item. If you decide to go ahead with the purchase, then the Health Sciences Library Departmental Acquisitions Request Form will need to be completed and submitted to the library.
4. How long will it take to receive an order that I place through the library?
The library will generally place an order within 2-3 business days of receiving a request. The contact person will be notified within 5 business days of the status of the request including the approximate delivery date. Delivery times vary with vendors and can be as quick as a few days and up to 6 weeks.
5. I received an item and realized that it isn’t exactly what the department needs. Can the item be returned?
The return policies vary with each vendor. Items that are ordered as final sale will be communicated to the contact person prior to placing the order. These items can usually only be returned if it arrives damaged or defective. If an item needs to be returned, please notify the library as soon as possible to determine if a return is possible.
6. What types of materials can the library order for my department?
The library can order books, journals, multimedia and other resource formats.
7. I need to order a large number of books. Is there a limit to the number of items that can be purchased? What is the maximum value of a purchase?
All purchases must be in accordance with NOSM University's Purchasing of Goods & Services Protocol. Please contact the library at askthelibrary@nosm.ca for clarification prior to requesting a large order.
8. Where will my order be delivered?
All orders are shipped to the Health Sciences Library at the campus indicated on the Departmental Acquisitions Request Form. The library will notify the contact person when the item(s) can be picked up from the library.
9. Once the library places an order can it be cancelled?
This depends on the vendor and the status of the order. Please notify the library at askthelibrary@nosm.ca as soon as possible if an order needs to be cancelled.
10. I need an item ASAP can a rush be placed on it?
This will depend on the availability of an item and the vendor used and may affect the cost of the item. Please contact the library at askthelibrary@nosm.ca to see if an item can be ordered with a rush placed on it.
11. Can the library order items for staff or faculty through their professional development funds?
Yes, as long as the correct budget code and required authorization is included.
