So let's say there's a library with a modicum of study space. And... the stacks are full, there's no other place to put books. Tim, your theory is that the only responsible decision at this point is to get rid of the modicum of study space (or lobby, or meeting rooms, or any public space that's not book shelves) to add book shelves, rather than move to off-site storage (or yes, even deaccession sometimes) never-used materials? (Even if you prioritize warehousing print above all else, you are still eventually going to face this decision. collections keep growing every year, physical space does not. off-site storage can be cheaper, but still costs money too. ).
Really?
For better or for worse, I don't think libraries have _ever_ been limited in their mission to being warehouses of dead trees. Most of us who work in libraries think this is for the better, actually.
________________________________________
From: Next generation catalogs for libraries [NGC4LIB_at_LISTSERV.ND.EDU] On Behalf Of Tim Spalding [tim_at_LIBRARYTHING.COM]
Sent: Thursday, September 30, 2010 11:06 PM
To: NGC4LIB_at_LISTSERV.ND.EDU
Subject: Re: [NGC4LIB] CSU library finds 40% of collection hasn't circulated
> Or, yes, as Tim seems to suggest, and like many academic libraries do, you can ignore the needs of students and focus solely on faculty (and MAYBE grad students, a little).
The needs of students to find a place for young people to socialize
and study—the cited motive here—can be satisfied in any number of
buildings on campus and off. If a library does not feel its spaces
should relate to finding and accessing information, it should stop
hiring LIS grads and turn to the cruise ship industry for help.
> It would be nice if we could have all the space we want for free.
It would be nice if libraries used the spaces built for libraries as libraries.
> Given that we're talking about ~600,000 items
I'm sure Widener's circulation rate is WAY over 40%. That's why
Harvard is a worse institution.
--
Check out my library at http://www.librarything.com/profile/timspalding
Received on Fri Oct 01 2010 - 09:44:48 EDT