The Bibliographical Services section is based in Billingham Town Centre and provides essential, library specific support services to Stockton Borough Libraries. Read more about our services below our contact details.
Bibliographical Services Contacts:
For further information about the purchase of materials and general Bibliographical Services enquiries contact:
Pam Sugden, Senior Assistant Librarian.
Tel: (01642) 526104
Email: pam.sugden@stockton.gov.uk
For further information about the Inter Library Loans service contact:
Pam Sugden, Senior Assistant Librarian.
Tel: (01642) 526104.
Email: pam.sugden@stockton.gov.uk
Bibliographical Services role:
- Purchase all new materials e.g. books, CDs, DVDs, language courses and open learning packs for libraries.
- Borrow around 3,400 books from other authorities across the country and from the British Library each year to satisfy requests for books that we don't have in stock, often things which are out of print.
- Lend around 1,300 books to other authorities each year to enable them to satisfy requests they receive for things they don't have in stock
- Catalogue books and other materials so that staff and library users know what is in stock and at which library it is held.
- Manage the contracts for the supply of books and other materials for Stockton Borough Libraries
Bibliographical Services Mission Statement
Bibliographical Services Aims to:
- Achieve best value in the supply of books and materials on behalf of all sections of Stockton Borough Libraries
- Operate an efficient and effective Inter Library Loans service
- Catalogue all materials in accordance with AACR2
- Monitor the contracts for supply of books and other materials
- Acquire materials on behalf of fund holders across Stockton Borough Libraries.
- Be responsible for the management of stock across all areas of service, developing policies, strategies etc. where required.
Inter Library Loans Criteria
Buy / Borrow Criteria
If a requested item is not in the stock of Stockton Borough Libraries, a decision has to be made as to whether to borrow it from another library authority or the British Library, or to purchase it for stock.
All requests are "bib" checked within Bibliographical Services to check whether they are already in stock. If a book is not in stock, Bookbank is checked to find out if the title is currently in print, its publisher, ISBN, cost, date of publication etc.
If the title is in print it will be considered for purchase using the following criteria:
Cost: Titles with a cover price of £101 or more will not normally be added into stock. Titles with a price of up to £100 must satisfy all other criteria. Decisions on titles up to the value of £45 will be made by the Senior Assistant Librarian, while other titles will be considered by the Books, Reading and Learning Officer.
Format: The title must be published in a format suitable for lending. Examples of items that would not be purchased on the grounds of unsuitable format include, year diaries, recipe fridge magnets, games. Items published in loose-leaf format or spiral bound, will only be purchased if they are suitable to be added to the collections of the staff library or reference library, where greater control can be exercised to prevent the removal of pages.
Subject: While we have a statutory duty to provide a comprehensive library service we cannot stock titles on every subject. Minority interest subjects will not normally be bought unless the Books, Reading and Learning Officer feels that the item will net at least 5 issues in its first 3 years in stock.
Level: In general, the lending stock of Stockton Borough libraries will cater for up to and including undergraduate level. Titles at a higher academic level will only be purchased if they meet all other criteria.
Process: Requests received at Bibliographical Services are "bib" checked to see if a request is in print, checks then follow one of the routes below.
Not In Stock and In PrintCheck cost
Check format
Check subject
Check level
Place order to purchase if criteria satisfied or apply to borrow if criteria not satisfied
(i.e. treat as not in print).
Not in Stock and Not in PrintCheck Unity and other databases
If ON Unity etc.
Apply to libraries with titles in stock
Receive item or if no library will lend apply to British Library and follow that route.
If NOT on Unity
Apply to British Library
IF British Library can't supply inform borrower & cancel request.
In Stock
Details returned to requesting library for request to be placed on Talis (library computer system).
