Approval Plans

Approval plans have served a generation of librarians as an efficient way to bring new books into their collections. YBP has been perfecting our approval plan methodology since 1974. Today, over 500 academic libraries worldwide, of all types, depend on YBP to identify and deliver the output of virtually every publisher of interest to academic libraries.

How Does It Work?
YBP works closely with each library to develop and maintain an accurate profile. These profiles are based primarily on three elements: a targeted publisher list, a defined set of non-subject parameters, and subject-specific instructions. And because subject instructions are based on the classification schemes ( Library of Congress, Dewey and the National Library of Medicine) already used by librarians, our profiles are easy to understand. There's no need to learn new vendor terminology. Fund designators may also be mapped into the plan to aid library budgeting and to facilitate searching via GOBI, our online database.

Each year our bibliographers carefully examine and describe over 52,000 titles with book in hand, and then match the books with each library's targeted profile. Approval customers receive a weekly shipment of both books and notification slips. Approval plans are reliable and predictable, and save each library an enormous investment in time and staff. YBP's methodology combines the powerful accuracy of a computerized system with the individual judgment of each expert bibliographer. The result is an extremely low return rate.

Additional Options
Approval Plan customers can also add specific instructions to their YBP profiles, such as to supply books reviewed in the New York Times Book Review or the Times Literary Supplement to supply books written by local faculty authors, or to use special interdisciplinary or geographic subject terms. Most libraries also take advantage of our AP Plus service, widening the scope of their coverage to include valuable books from publishers that are new or not widely known.

YBP's paper-preferred option offers savings on editions that are published simultaneously in both cloth and paper bindings.

Libraries may always monitor the performance of their plans with a variety of customized reports available through GOBI.

In addition, YBP is able to offer enhanced service through tight integration with Lindsay and Croft, our U.K. division. YBP can offer duplication control between U.S. and U.K. versions, and can also provide libraries with U.S. or U.K. editions, based on criteria such as "first published." For example, if the U.K. edition of a particular title is published before the U.S. edition, customers interested in getting material as quickly as possible can request the U.K. edition, which YBP is able to deliver through Lindsay and Croft. YBP's close relationship with Lindsay and Croft makes our company the premier source for U.K. books.

Dedicated Support
Each YBP Approval Plan client is assigned a professional customer service bibliographer who is familiar with their requirements and available to:

  • Provide GOBI training and support

  • Monitor plan performance

  • Provide information and advice

  • Serve as a primary contact for profile and press changes

  • Ensure that each library has a direct and responsive link to YBP

Additionally, YBP schedules regular site visits to review every aspect of a library's YBP approval plan with selectors, faculty, and acquisitions librarians and staff.

Give It a Try
Libraries interested in a trial approval plan have the option of a "virtual book/slip" program, where they receive slips marked with the profiling outcome of a "live" plan, but without automatic book shipments. If you're interested, contact Customer Service at 800.258.3774 (toll-free from the U.S. and Canada) or +1.603.746.3102.