SPEC Kit 337: Print Retention Decision Making · 27
Loss of browsability loss of open access to run of a serial loss of open access to some older reference serials
Occasionally, faculty or staff will express displeasure about not having immediate access to some older print materials.
Some faculty were initially reluctant to move materials out of the general stacks.
Some resistance based on just-in-case collecting instincts of some librarians.
Some subject librarians and, reportedly, some teaching faculty did not want material removed from “browsable”
collection.
Subject librarians and teaching faculty have concerns about browsability.
The loss of browsing because it was closed stacks. Also, loss of control at/identification with the branch library.
There has been some concern about the ability to browse materials. Most materials can be borrowed or used in the
reading room or made available via document delivery.
There were and continue to be disagreements on specific materials, particularly dissertations. We anticipate challenges
in the near future as we expand the materials to include non-serials.
Worries about browsing physical items (internal/external), response time (internal/external), physical handling/storage
conditions (internal), workload (internal).
Answered No
After the transfer, if a complaint or request is received, the item in question is returned to the open stacks.
However, when the main library was renovated, its footprint was reduced. This reduction of on-campus collection space
did spark some protests when the building was re-opened.
REMOTE SHELVING STRATEGY
14. Does your library send print materials to a remote shelving facility that is owned, leased, or shared?
N=61
Yes 45 74%
No 16 26%
If yes, are these decisions part of on-going collection management activities or are they handled
on a project basis? N=44
Both on-going and project-based 37 84%
Project-based 5 11%
Part of on-going activities 2 5%
Comments N=9
Both on-going and project-based
In the first years, sending print materials was linked to library renovations, so it was project based, but for the last two
years, as we have no more space for print, it is part of on-going activities.
Loss of browsability loss of open access to run of a serial loss of open access to some older reference serials
Occasionally, faculty or staff will express displeasure about not having immediate access to some older print materials.
Some faculty were initially reluctant to move materials out of the general stacks.
Some resistance based on just-in-case collecting instincts of some librarians.
Some subject librarians and, reportedly, some teaching faculty did not want material removed from “browsable”
collection.
Subject librarians and teaching faculty have concerns about browsability.
The loss of browsing because it was closed stacks. Also, loss of control at/identification with the branch library.
There has been some concern about the ability to browse materials. Most materials can be borrowed or used in the
reading room or made available via document delivery.
There were and continue to be disagreements on specific materials, particularly dissertations. We anticipate challenges
in the near future as we expand the materials to include non-serials.
Worries about browsing physical items (internal/external), response time (internal/external), physical handling/storage
conditions (internal), workload (internal).
Answered No
After the transfer, if a complaint or request is received, the item in question is returned to the open stacks.
However, when the main library was renovated, its footprint was reduced. This reduction of on-campus collection space
did spark some protests when the building was re-opened.
REMOTE SHELVING STRATEGY
14. Does your library send print materials to a remote shelving facility that is owned, leased, or shared?
N=61
Yes 45 74%
No 16 26%
If yes, are these decisions part of on-going collection management activities or are they handled
on a project basis? N=44
Both on-going and project-based 37 84%
Project-based 5 11%
Part of on-going activities 2 5%
Comments N=9
Both on-going and project-based
In the first years, sending print materials was linked to library renovations, so it was project based, but for the last two
years, as we have no more space for print, it is part of on-going activities.
