Announcing McNaughton Books: “Invitation to Read”
01/31/08 by: Dayne Sherman
Article addresses new book collection at Sims Library.
In January 2008 Sims Memorial Library subscribed to a book leasing program known as the McNaughton Plan. Begun more than 50 years ago, the McNaughton Plan allows libraries to deliver the best new titles in fiction and nonfiction to their patrons in a timely manner.
After reviewing hundreds of titles, McNaughton's experienced selectors produce a monthly list of over 200 books which they have identified as the best candidates for the bestseller lists. The titles on these lists cover a wide range of genres: fiction, science fiction, romance, mystery, westerns, biography, nonfiction, fantasy, etc. Because libraries receive these lists approximately three months prior to publication, high-demand titles arrive at libraries at the same time that they appear on bookstore displays.
The McNaughton Plan offers libraries various levels of participation. Sims Memorial Library has elected to receive approximately 30 new publications each month. By choosing to receive 30 books monthly, Sims Memorial Library received a core collection of 300 recently published titles. With a discerning eye for what Southeastern patrons want to read, Eric Johnson, Library Director, selects the new titles from the monthly lists, and these are added to the core collection. Books that fail to circulate are returned to McNaughton. According to our agreement, Sims Memorial Library will retain 20% of our yearly allocation for the permanent collection.
The McNaughton Plan allows Sims Memorial Library to offer bestsellers to the University community immediately after publication and at a fraction of their retail cost. Because these books arrive fully processed (cataloged and barcoded), there is no delay in placing them on the shelves in the recently redesigned leisure reading area.
We encourage our patrons to become acquainted with the McNaughton Collection on the first floor of Sims Library. Please accept our “Invitation to Read.”
***All text provided by Librarian Michael Webster.