Acquisition Policy in the American Academic Library

T HIS STUDY is a summary, synthesis, and evaluation of past and present acquisition principles and practices in the American academic library. It focuses attention on what was, what is, and perhaps even what should be. In term~ ?f acquisition philosophy and responsi~ll ity, it compares trends of the past With trends of the present, and trends of the present with trends of the future. The word acquisition in this study applies to the acquisition of library materials whether they be by gift, exchange, or purchase. Since funds play a vital role in determining the adequacy of a library book collection, the emphasis is on acquisition by purchase. Policy refers to the guiding principles adopted and followed by American academic libraries in developing their collections. Acquisition policy is interpreted in a broad sense and encompasses both written and unwritten, formal and informal statements of policy. Academic library in the historical section of the paper refers primarily to col-