Once an essential part of the library school curriculum, acquisitions in the present day rarely, if ever, is taught on a regular basis. Acquisitions is seen not simply as a specialization of a relatively few librarians, but as a fundamental part of the work of librarians in many settings. A review of early formal training in acquisitions and the textbooks pertaining to the subject, and an analysis of the literature provide an historical perspec¬tive on education for acquisitions, and suggest elements that may provide basic and adequate training in acquisitions useful to all librarians.