Hi Laura,
Our entire print collection was moved to a storage site for 15 months
during a library renovation, and then we cherry-picked the books to be
returned to the main library (40%) using removable blue dots. We ran
reports to compile the number of books in each collection and also
according to criteria. Our criteria included recently-published books (last
5 years), books that have circulated, core titles in each subject area,
materials needed for research and comparative study, multidisciplinary
works, and required and recommended titles from course syllabi/readings
lists. We also included current year print journal issues, select reference
works (recent and often used), most of the juvenile books, most of the
DVDs, some of the oversize books, all of the scores (because they fit), all
of the faculty author books, and all of the NcNaughton rental books.
The storage area included lesser used materials such as books published
over 5 years ago, books with no circulation (though we only have 7 years of
data), older reference books, bound periodicals, theses, dissertations,
government documents, microforms, and maps. All remaining materials were
given storage shelf locations.
We had library staff and student workers dotting books from lists, but
people could also freely choose any book by adding a blue dot. Movers
pulled the books and shelved them at the main library. We then had to
de-dot the books.
We found estimations of the number of books that fit on a shelf were
incorrect. We had to later select and insert more books to fill the
shelves. So, the criteria were widened to include books that had been
published or acquired in the last 10 years.
We did scatter collections around due to the placement of shelving. We had
to consider space needed as well as the desired effect. For example, the
New York Times bestsellers, faculty author books, and current journals were
at the front of the library near appropriate seating. The DVDs which used
to be at the front were moved to the back of the new library near study
rooms (they are becoming obsolete).
The juvenile collection needed taller shelves, so they were shelved at the
end of the scores (also on taller shelves). Back issues of periodicals were
in a separate area at the back on a wall shelf. A featured collection of
spiritual books was shelved around a fireplace living room area. A large
collection of art books was shelved around the outside of a large study
room in the stacks.
Good signage is helpful to anyone trying to find collections, though some
may still need help. The main stacks are arranged in a horseshoe, so that's
not difficult to follow. However, people might not know where the DVDs are
and probably have to be shown where they are located. Many others just
place a hold on what they want and it's ready for them at the front desk.
We've talked about creating a map of collections on each floor, but we
haven't done that yet.
This was not an easy process, but everyone seems happy with the result. I
wish there was an easier way to select books, but there were time and cart
restrictions. I do know it's much easier to move an entire collection than
to cherry-pick it. Best of luck to you!
Lynne
--
Lynne Jacobsen
Associate University Librarian
Information Resources, Collections, and Scholarly Communication
Pepperdine University
24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Payson Library, Room 229
Malibu, CA 90263
Phone: 310-506-7681
Email: lynne.jacobsen_at_pepperdine.edu
On Wed, Jun 6, 2018 at 10:10 AM, Laura Turner <lauraturner_at_sandiego.edu>
wrote:
> Dear Colleagues,
>
> Our library is planning a renovation of the entire library to begin in
> another year. Post-renovation, we may be offering somewhere between 50-70%
> of our current collection onsite and the rest retrieved from an offsite
> facility (we do not use offsite storage now). If your library moved
> significant percentages of the collection offsite, what criteria did you
> use to select what would remain?
>
> One possibility for our renovation includes a section that would include
> most of the material that we continue to house onsite, with smaller
> shelving areas scattered throughout the remaining library and a percentage
> offsite. If you have had a similar experience, what criteria did you use
> for allocating materials to the scattered shelving (i.e. was it just
> discrete material, like oversized books or the reference collection, etc.
> or specific call number ranges)? Has this allocation and the scattered
> shelving been difficult to administer (shelving, patrons locating material,
> etc.)?
>
> Many thanks for your input,
> Laura
>
> --
> Laura Turner
> Head of Collections, Access, and Discovery
> Helen K. and James S. Copley Library
> University of San Diego
> 5998 Alcala Park
> <https://maps.google.com/?q=5998+Alcala%C2%A0Park+San+Diego,+CA+%C2%A092110&entry=gmail&source=g>
> San Diego, CA 92110
> <https://maps.google.com/?q=5998+Alcala%C2%A0Park+San+Diego,+CA+%C2%A092110&entry=gmail&source=g>
> -2492
> Phone: (619) 260-2365
> lauraturner_at_sandiego.edu
>
Received on Wed Jun 06 2018 - 19:15:11 EDT