Administrators responsible for purchasing school insurance should work with insurance companies to insure competitive prices and responsive services. Guidelines are provided. (Author/MLF)

The Middlesex County Board of Education in Hyde Park (Ontario) has developed an automated tendering/purchasing system for ordering standard items that has reduced by 80 percent the time required for tendering, evaluating, awarding, and ordering items. (Author/MLF)

This second article in a series on inventory control outlines the importance of the warehouse and its part in providing good logistical services. (Author/MLF)

The 1980s offer libraries numerous automated acquisitions alternatives, including turnkey systems from circulation system vendors and the acquisition subsystems of the bibliographic utilities. Integration of systems from several sources poses the principal problem. (Author/RAA)

Presents an overview of automated library acquisitions with emphasis on vendor developed systems. The article provides definitions, a description of an ideal system, a selection procedure for optimal purchasing decisions, and predictions for the future. An evaluation sheet and checklist are included. (RAA)

The National Council of School Security Administrators lists the advantages and pitfalls of certain alarm systems and policies. (Author/MLF)

Examines state law and court cases concerning self-dealing and conflict of interest in North Carolina. (IRT)

Points to the value of upgrading a journalism education program with modern equipment; tells how a high school publications staff obtained a phototypesetter with a video display screen and a magnetic diskette storage and retrieval system. (GT)

Provides purchasing tips for programs on a tight budget. Topics include writing specifications for the merchandise needed, finding and developing sources (vendors), receiving and analyzing bids, writing purchase orders, and receiving merchandise. (CM)

The Annual Plant Planning and Purchasing Directory lists more than 1,700 companies that provide products and services to educational institutions, and has a list of Professional Consultants--architects and engineers experienced in school and college work. (Author/MLF)

Steps in planning, choosing, and ordering all kinds of audiovisual equipment for vocational education instruction are presented by the director of public relations for the National Audio-Visual Association. Includes the top 10 audiovisual media needs indicated by a survey of American Vocational Association members. (MF)

An approach to make purchasing easier for administrators, and thus increase the chance of receiving requested equipment is presented. Three steps are involved: (1) Write a bid specifically stating exact details, (2) estimate the added cost for operation, and (3) include a revised course outline showing benefits of equipment to students. (TA)

Adolescents (n=353, 55% female) described their use of product levels and exposure to marketplace-related communication. Females used labels more and had greater exposure to communication, which influenced label use. Parents and peers were important sources of consumer learning. (SK)

An electronic requisition and purchase-order system helps Louisville's schools stay legal and efficient. Designated individuals in schools create requisitions electronically and route them to the purchasing department, which generates and sends out paper purchase orders after checking the requisitions for correctness and legality. (MLF)

In buying school supplies and roofing, school districts need to realize that low bid too often equates to low quality, high maintenance, poor performance, and short life. The key is to write bid specifications that look at the life-cycle cost, not just the initial cost. (MLF)