Rightsizing the Academic Library Collection

Is your institution’s library bursting at the seams with books that have not been touched for decades, microfilm that nobody uses, and print journals that have been superseded by electronic access? Have you wondered how best to identify what physical material to retain and what to withdraw to maintain an inviting collection of relevant material for your users? Then it’s time to rightsize! Ward identifies the challenges and proposes solutions to shaping physical collections for today’s academic library. Filled with sage advice and ready-to-implement guidance, this book Introduces the concept of rightsizing, a strategic and largely automated approach that uses continuous assessment to identify the no- and low-use materials in the collection Walks you through crafting a rightsizing plan, from developing withdrawal criteria and creating discard lists to managing workflow and disposing of withdrawn materials Shows how to identify stakeholders, plus strategies for winning them over Offers tips for working with consortial partners on collaborative print retention projects Discusses how growing electronic collections can enhance legacy print collections Advises what to do with print journals after your library licenses perpetual access rights to the electronic equivalent Looks ahead to the future of physical collections in academic librariesBy learning how to rightsize, you will ensure that your institution’s collection meets the needs of your library’s users.