Guideline on Acquisition of Multiple Copies

Guideline on acquisition of multiple copies of set textbooks and reference books

The Library guideline on acquiring multiple copies covers the following areas:

- Set Textbooks or Reference books (Core materials)
- Reference books (Non-core materials)
- Access Upgrade (All book titles)
- Maximum (All book titles)

The guideline covers both the acquisition of set textbooks and reference books in print and electronic format.

Set Textbooks or Reference Titles (Core materials)

If a set textbook or a core reference title is available in e-format, 3 concurrent access will be acquired.
For core materials without e-version or with less than 3 concurrent access, purchase of print copies is set out in the following formula:

Student Enrollment	No. of print copies to be purchased per course	Ebook Access
1-49	2	No e-version or Less than 3 concurrent access (additional e-access cannot be acquired on the market when print orders are issued)
50-99	3
100-149	4
150-199	5
>=200	6

3. For core materials with 3 or more concurrent access, purchase of print copies is set out in the following formula:

Student Enrollment	No. of print copies to be purchased per course	Ebook Access
< 200	2	3 or more concurrent access
>= 200	3	3 or more concurrent access

Reference titles (non-core materials)

The one copy, e-preferred policy should be maintained. Purchase of more than one format for non-core titles or non-set textbooks could be made upon special request by academics or Library Subject Teams to respond to academic needs.
Single user access will normally be acquired for an ebook unless the cost of unlimited concurrent access is comparable to the cost of a single access.
Print and/or E-access upgrade will be made according to demand.

Access Upgrade (All book titles)
Extra print copies or concurrent e-access will be acquired for a title according to demand

1. i. through auto or manual upgrade on ebook platforms based on turn away reports, or
  ii. through hold alerts for purchase of additional print copies, or
  iii. suggestions from faculties on the needs of their core reference books

Maximum (All book titles)

An overall maximum of 12 print copies and 12 concurrent e-access (if available in the market) will be acquired for set textbooks or any reference titles on heavy demand based on e-book turn away statistics, print hold alert reports or recommendations from faculties. Request for more than 12 print copies and/or 12 concurrent e-access may be approved by the Librarian based on evidence such as student enrollments, usage statistics and/or number of courses using the same materials.

Library Contact

The Library would like to receive more details of titles that are not set textbooks but should be core reference materials and require more concurrent access. Please contact the Acquisitions Section of the Library at Email: libacq@hkmu.edu.hk or Phone: 2768-6779.

Library

September 2021