Purchasing and the Information Resources Allocation

Information Resources Allocation
The Information resources Allocation budget is managed by the library and used to develop and provide access to collections of scholarly information in line with the library Collection Development Framework.Each faculty/school/centre is given an annual amount from the library Information Resources Allocation budget. The Information Resources Allocation for each school/centre is determined by a number of factors including: staff and student numbers and the average cost of books and periodical subscriptions. The Information Resources Allocation covers the purchase of:
- Books
- Periodicals including newspapers
- Audio visual materials (CDs, DVDs, videos)
- Off-air TV and radio programs
- Inter library loans
- Electronic resources
- periodical indexes
- full text periodical databases
- aggregator databases
- Binding of periodicals
- Microfilming of newspapers and theses
The current financial status of each school/centre's Information Resources Allocation is reported to a nominated person each month.
Each school/centre may order items in their own way, so it is best to check with your head of school as to who authorises purchase orders in your area.
Procedures for purchasing
Prescribed texts and recommended reading lists
The CDU Bookshop on Casuarina campus submits these lists to the library at the beginning of each semester. These are then ordered from each schools budget. Please ensure that the Bookshop has a copy of the latest texts and reading lists for your units.
Books/multimedia
Requests to purchase these items are now submitted via the library Purchase Request form which requires student or staff authentication. You may see a popup window warning that the certificate issuer for the form is invalid. Please ignore and accept this certificate - this is so that user credentials are sent securely over the Internet. This online form is submitted direct to the library acquisitions supervisor. Alternately, a printed version of the form can be sent when there is the need to attach publishers 'blurbs', catalogues or other sources/citations if there are any problems.
Note that there are some issues with EHS staff being able to sign on to access the new form. If you have problems using the new form please contact the ITMS support desk on extension 6600 to check you have a valid CDU-STAFF computer account
Items should be ordered well in advance of requirements to allow for unavoidable delays between ordering and receipt, particularly where items are ordered from overseas.
Normally, requests are placed for single copies of items with the exception of some prescribed text and recommended readings. (For ordering of prescribed text see the Bookshop web site).
Expensive items - If an item is found to be expensive (currently items costing more than $300), further advice will be sought.
Periodicals
Periodical Request forms are different from the above mentioned Purchase Request form and are available from the serials supervisor and liaison librarians.
It is important to note that once a subscription has been placed it becomes a recurring cost, charged annually to the faculty/school/centre's Information Resources Allocation. Any subscription is subject to inflation.
So please choose periodical subscriptions carefully because not more than 60 per cent of a school/centre's allocation may normally be spent on periodical subscriptions.
- Notice to cancel any subscription must be received early (before September each year for most titles) to avoid commitment to that subscription for the following year.
Television & radio programs
The library can purchase off-air TV and radio programs which can then be used for educational purposes under the University's screenrights license. See our TV & Radio programs page for more information on how these recordings may be used. To submit an order use the Purchase Request form. Enter the channel and date aired in the comments box. Recordings will be treated as a normal information resource and come out of your School/Cluster library allocation.
A checklist for ordering
- Check the library online catalogue before placing your order to ensure the title is not currently held and order well in advance
- Complete an online order request form (for books/multimedia products), providing as much information as possible. Write the requestor's name in block letters. Please write clearly!
- If attaching publisher's blurb, review etc, print the online form, attach additional information and send to the acquisitions supervisor
- Get your head of school or library representative to authorise your printed request to purchase
- Please indicate if the item is required urgently or for short term loan, giving the unit code if for short term loan
Contact us
Acquisitions supervisor on 08 8946 6992 for more information. For serials queries contact the serials supervisor on 08 8946 6179.





