Guidelines for selecting materials for storage

Identifying low-use books that can be moved to off-campus storage requires the consideration of a number of factors.  The general criteria listed below are guidelines, not strict rules.  The Library Liaison's judgment and knowledge of the subject, along with faculty input, is paramount, allowing for the greatest amount of  flexibility.  The importance of each guideline will vary depending upon the discipline, and should be considered in that respect.
 

1. User demand.  Circulation statistics are an important indicator of user interest in a particular book,  but circulation cannot by itself identify storage material.  The reference value should also be considered as many books are used within the library and may never circulate.

2. Number of copies.  For some titles the Library has more than one copy.  If, for instance, the Library has four copies and each has circulated once, two or three of the copies could safely be placed in storage.

3. Variant editions.  Identify standard editions.  Other less scholarly editions could be placed in storage.

4. Superseded editions.  Titles that have been superseded by more recent editions should be considered for storage.  Some earlier editions will have scholarly interest and should remain on-campus.

5. Research value.

6. Needs of academic programs.  The current Collection Development Policy provides guidance on the level of collecting necessary to support specific academic areas of interest to Georgetown University.  In addition, the Policy identifies those that are no  longer (or were never) part of the curriculum and those subjects which it is anticipated will be of increased interest in the near future.

7. Availability in other formats.  Does the Library have the same material in electronic form or as a microform?

8. Physical condition.  If the Library has more than one copy of a given title and some of the copies have circulated, the copy in the best condition should be retained on-campus (regardless of the number of circulations for that particular copy).

9. Cooperative collection development agreements.  Any agreements for cooperative collection development that the Library may have with the Law Library or the Medical Library should be considered.

10. Artifactual value/use. A particular title may have unique artifactual value, for instance exceptional illustrations, that would suggest it remain on-campus.

11. Faculty input.  Faculty input in the identification of low-use books that can be put in off-campus storage is essential.  Faculty recommendations regarding titles which should remain on-campus will be given the greatest weight possible.