2015 Charleston Library Conference

Speakers will present significant findings from a 2015 survey of ARL and Oberlin Group Libraries to learn how institutions make decisions to withdraw or retain print monographs. The survey was part of a two-pronged national study led by preservation and conservation experts to better understand what kinds of data, policies, data sharing mechanisms and other communication strategies libraries need to make informed decisions about monograph withdrawals in their collections. This session will look at how policies are (or aren’t) developed, what kinds of data are (or aren’t) used, and which stakeholders are (or aren’t) consulted. The speakers will examine trends in institutions by type and size (public vs private, state institution vs college), and how trends correlate to institutional missions. The session will conclude with a facilitated audience discussion about next steps for developing and sharing best practices and improving communication about selection for withdrawal.