How does my library decide which books to buy?

September 22, 2013

I often borrow ebooks from the Multnomah County Library (my library) and, as I would do if I were visiting the physical library branch, spend time skimming the “shelves.”  As a result of a recent search, I cannot help wondering who decided to acquire 60 ecopies of 50 Shades of Grey (15 copies currently available) but only 16 copies of Lean In (57 users currently on waiting list) and what criteria that person used.