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Collections Strategies

A guide to services and resources provided by the Collections Strategies team.

How to Request a One-Time Purchase

Suggest a Purchase*

Located in the top menu bar in the library catalog

Alternatively, locate the item by searching the catalog and select Purchase Request under "How to get it"
to autofill many of the fields on the form. 
(Note: to see items our library does not currently own, make sure you are searching in "Libraries Worldwide." The main search bar defaults to this option.)

 

What to Expect

  • Use this process to request books, eBooks, CDs, music scores, and DVDs (if digitizing for a course, please first check availability on our streaming platforms)
  • The library prioritizes multi-user eBooks, but will purchase print if the title is unavailable electronically
  • The library system will send an email to notify you once the item is available
  • You can provide instructions in the form regarding where the item should be sent on arrival (Course Reserves, checked out to you, library stacks).

Est. Service Time

eBook: 2-3 Days
Physical Book: 4 Weeks

* Please note that you will need to sign in to your @davidson.edu library account in order to access these forms.

Checking the Status of your Requests

In the Library Catalog, select "My Requests" from your library account drop down.
*Make sure you have signed in with your Davidson SSO first.

 

Here you are able to view that status of your Purchase Requests, or cancel items no longer needed.

ILL Request or Purchase Request?

The following are guidelines and are not all-encompassing.
If you are unsure, please submit your request regardless! We are happy to help!
 

Submit an Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Request if:

  • You foresee temporary use of the item (including use for the duration of a course)  
  • You only need part of the work, such as a chapter
  • You are a faculty member who needs to preview an item to determine if it should be purchased for a course

Submit a Purchase Request if:

  • You foresee long term use of the item
  • You are a faculty member who is assigning the item in a current or upcoming course
  • The item is not essential but would be beneficial to supplement student coursework
  • The item is a core text to an area of study
  • You are a faculty member who needs the item for ongoing research


Please contact ill@davidson.edu for ILL questions, or acquisitions@davidson.edu for purchase questions. 

Davidson College Library Research Guides are licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Mailing Address: Davidson College - E.H. Little Library, 209 Ridge Road, Box 5000, Davidson, NC 28035