Typically, we forward each such message to the librarian responsible for developing the part of our collection in which we would place the recommended item. These subject specialist librarians are called liaisons. Each liaison librarian is in charge of developing one or more subject areas within our collections. These subject areas cover the full range of what is studied, taught, and researched at the University.

After forwarding a recommendation to a liaison librarian, we also let the person who made the recommendation know the name and email address of that librarian and make clear that future suggestions can be made either through the Suggestion Box or by contacting the liaison librarian directly.

If you would like to cut out the middleman and recommend books and serials directly to a liaison librarian, you can identify the librarian you want by going to the directory of Librarian Liaisons at http://www.lib.wayne.edu/geninfo/staff/facultyliaison.php.

It is also possible to recommend books for purchase directly through our catalog. When you first open the catalog, just under the search box you will find the link “Suggest a Title.” When you click on that link, a form will open allowing you to make your recommendation. You can go directly to this form now by clicking on this link: https://elibrary.wayne.edu/acquire.

The University Libraries’ mission is to collect the books, journals, and other information needed to support learning, teaching, and research and we try to be very efficient in doing this. We really want to get the maximum benefit from every dollar entrusted to us. That doesn’t leave a lot of money for purely entertainment reading.

You do, however, want to give our collections a careful look. The range of study and research at the University is vast and our collections are quite varied.

But, because of our participation in a state-wide program, any book you’d expect to find in a public library is available to you on campus. The University Libraries are part of the Michigan eLibrary (known as MeLCat) which will allow you to borrow books from public and academic libraries from all over the state of Michigan and pick them up here on campus. To search the MeLCat catalog and place requests for books follow the link found on our Interlibrary Loan page at
https://wayne.illiad.oclc.org/illiad/wild.html.

As I’m sure you know, we have limited budgets for buying books and journals. Working within the limits of that budget, we make great efforts to spend our funds well and get the books, journals, and other information sources necessary to support learning, teaching, and research at Wayne. To do this we have assigned subject liaison librarians to specific subject areas and charged them with identifying and purchasing materials for those areas.

We are very aware that e-journals are preferred by students and faculty alike and that there is a growing demand for e-books. Whenever possible, we purchase online journals and magazines rather than print. We are also building e-book collections in a number of different areas. In fact in 2005-2006 (the most recent year for which data is available), the WSU Libraries once again lead the 113 members of the Association of Research Libraries in the percentage of its collection budget used for digital materials.

We also want you to know that Wayne students and faculty are not limited to the books and journals in our collections. Through special interlibrary loan arrangements with libraries, we have the ability to borrow books and obtain articles from libraries all over the United States and the world. To set up your interlibrary loan account and make requests, go to
https://wayne.illiad.oclc.org/illiad/wild.html.

If you would like to contact the liaison librarian in your area of study, please use the list available at
http://www.lib.wayne.edu/geninfo/staff/facultyliaison.php.

You can also suggest books for our collections. You may do so by clicking on the “Suggest a Title” link in our catalog. It will lead you to this online form:
http://elibrary.wayne.edu/acquire.