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Damned if you do, damned if you don't: Texas A&M University Libraries' collection assessment for off‐site storage

Simona Tabacaru (Texas A&M University Libraries, College Station, Texas, USA)
Carmelita Pickett (Texas A&M University Libraries, College Station, Texas, USA)

Collection Building

ISSN: 0160-4953

Article publication date: 28 June 2013

1893

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the Texas A&M University (TAMU) Libraries’ policies that effectively reduced the size of onsite print collections, with minimal impact on the library user community. The paper also aims to examine some of the challenges encountered during the underlying collection assessment process.

Design/methodology/approach

Investment in electronic resources, digital preservation initiatives and local print repositories are reasonable solutions for academic libraries that need to responsibly relocate legacy print collections from their open stacks.

Findings

Balancing trust issues with local needs and embracing the opportunities offered by digital archives and local print repositories are key elements for successfully implementing collection management decisions.

Originality/value

This article examines local best practices for downsizing local print collections and recommends strategies applicable to any large academic library for addressing collection assessment challenges.

Keywords

Citation

Tabacaru, S. and Pickett, C. (2013), "Damned if you do, damned if you don't: Texas A&M University Libraries' collection assessment for off‐site storage", Collection Building, Vol. 32 No. 3, pp. 111-115. https://doi.org/10.1108/CB-02-2013-0006

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2013, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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