Acquisitions Department

The Acquisitions Department acquires and makes accessible information and resources necessary to advance Stanford University’s scholarship and research.

What we do

The Acquisitions Department is responsible for acquiring materials in all formats, both physical and electronic, for Stanford University Libraries, including:

  • Ordering materials from sources all over the world
  • Receiving and copy cataloging
  • Follow up as necessary to ensure that orders are fulfilled in a timely manner
  • Payment of invoices for all library materials
  • Establishing and maintaining access to electronic resources acquired for the Stanford community


In addition, the Acquisitions Department:

  • Sets up and maintains approval plans, subscriptions, and standing orders
  • Manages incoming gifts
  • Assesses sources of supply, vendor performance, and associated services while seeking opportunities to further workflow efficiencies
  • Maintains the highest ethical standards and excellent customer service with our clients, vendors, and service providers


View our organizational chart