Stock Purchase

The EBSM Stock Purchase Tools are used to create targeted, relevant purchase recommendations that will meet both local and system wide demand.

All of the EBSM Stock Purchase tools are derived from evidence of stock demand from stock use data, and are designed to be used as the final stage of the stock improvement process, after all options for meeting customer demand through swapping and transfer haven been exhausted.

The Stock Purchase Tools achieve the Outcome of Better Stock Relevance and Better Stock Quality.

Tool Collection Description
Local Stock Purchase Fiction /         Non Fiction The Local Stock Purchase tool examines each of the collections that an individual library stocks and determines if these collections are understocked, based on the actual use in the library. The aim is to bring collection sizes into line with collection use - in relative terms.

The Tool creates a purchase Action Plan, presenting advice to an individual library based on the use that each collection has within that library.

For Non fiction, the Tool examines each of the class number ranges within individual libraries and determines if these collections are understocked, based on the actual use in the library. The aim is to identify ranges that should be built up to meet over demand, and ranges that should be refreshed because of evidence of low demand

Minimises waste in future stock purchase
System Wide Purchase Non Fiction Creates a non fiction purchase Action Plan for remaining Non Fiction budget following Local Stock Purchase - this material is suggested for rotation round all service points to ensure cost effective provision of low demand subject material.

The Tool analyses stock use by class number ranges across all Libraries and suggests pro rata budget allocation for each.

Ensures adequate subject provision across all class ranges

Popular Author Purchase Fiction /         Non Fiction This Tool identifies the highest issuing authors in individual libraries that are poorly represented in terms of current availability for loan. Using this information, the Tool creates a purchasing Action Plan to bring stock levels into line with target provision.

For the non fiction version, this Tool is used for non fiction authors whose work is read like fiction.

Maximises use of existing stock