Summary This book leads the reader through many aspects of a library's collection including the user, current holdings, selection, and acquisition of new materials. The reader is also led to consider budgets, and how books are made available in 21st century markets. Methods for assessing library vendors are described. Practical details are frequently included; concepts and theory are alluded to but are not a major emphasis of the text. A global scope creates an inclusive mood for readers in developed or developing nations. The final chapter speculates upon acquisitions librarianship in the 21st century. This is a fundamental book for the student or practicing librarian, a book that shares much about acquisitions but admits an uncertainty about the evolution of the profession. Key Features 1. The author brings a global scope, and global examples to the text 2. The text draws on more than a decade of authorial experience in acquisitions librarianship 3. The author discusses potential acquisitions problems and solutions 4. The author shares an awareness of rapid changes in the profession and provides suggestions to cope with changes responsibly While the author was formally schooled in business, he recognizes that most acquisitions librarians are not and provides suggestions for accounting and financial transactions 5. The book includes a strong consideration of the community as it relates to the library collection 6. The organization of the book moves from the external community into the library and then to the local collection and acquisitions practices 7. The discussion of acquisitions includes both internal (selecting, budgeting) factors and external (vendor assessment, book chain development) concerns 8. Examples are drawn from authorial experiences in both developed and developing information societies The Author Jim Agee is the Technical Services Manager for Acquisitions and Serials at the University of Northern Colorado. He brings a dozen years of daily acquisi