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Print Collection Plan

We are in the process of reviewing our print collection to identify materials that are no longer appropriate. Several factors contributed to our conducting the review process including:

  • Materials in the collection no longer meet the needs of the students and faculty. 

  • We no longer have space for new materials.

  • The collection is not browsable because a single call number can be in up to six locations in the library.

  • Donations that were not selected initially to support research or the curriculum compose 5% of the collection.

  • We do not provide adequate study space for students and faculty.

  • The elevators and tower floors are not currently ADA compliant.

We are involved in several projects designed to rightsize the print collection, provide more student space, and preserve the scholarly record including:

  • Deselecting titles that no longer meet the university’s needs (for print collection review criteria, visit our Rightsizing Policy).

  • Analyzing the remaining collection and creating plans to move a significant portion to an offsite location (available for convenient retrieval).

  • Exploring options for identifying materials to keep in the building. 

  • Developing a marketing plan to encourage the use of print materials.

  • Participating in state and regional shared print retention programs to ensure multiple copies of serials (Scholars Trust) and monographs (UNC System) are held and available for interlibrary loan and to maintain the scholarly record.

  • Continuing to purchase important scholarly material in both print and electronic format.

We are committed to providing the research materials students and faculty need to be successful in learning, teaching, and research. If you have any questions about this process, please contact Liz Siler, Collection Development Librarian, or your designated subject librarian.