Yet another university is examining discarding print resources - Sydney University
http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/you-can-judge-a-book-by-its-dust-test-as-university-library-cuts-its-staff-and-stock-20110511-1ej0z.html?from=smh_sb
As you may notice, I am personally not a big fan of discarding books. I have to admit I love print books for the tacticle experience that they offer and can be invaluable to anyone who uses them.
What about professionally?
I have come a long way this semester on this issue. ETL503 (Collection Management) does look at the issue of "weeding" or removal of books which also helps me understand the situation occuring at the University of New South Wales as blogged two months ago.
I can understand the need to weed the resources by the university. There are some resources that are not "popular". Some resources are outdated. New editions are available or information no longer relevant or appropriate. What surprised me was that they accepted discarded books from other libraries - maybe a sign of improper selection and acquistion.
I hope they approach it on a book by book basis. Obviously some of the items to be weeded don't need to be. There will still be relevance and usefulness. Otherwise, the rest need to go. It can be painful. It is like the librarians in "The Day after Tomorrow" when they debate which books need to burned first to heat the room that they and the survivors are using.
