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Penfield Library Multi-year Collection Review: Home

About the Project

Librarians are starting our first comprehensive evaluation of the entire print collection at Penfield Library.  This project will result in a significant reduction in the print collection which will make our collection more current, relevant, and inclusive; make our books more accessible by wheelchair, and in preparation for future library renovations. 

If you have questions about the project, please contact Kathryn Johns-Masten, Collection Management Librarian or Sarah Weisman, Library Director.

Faculty and Staff Participation

  • We would like faculty and staff feedback in this review process.
  • Submit feedback about items you think we should retain on the Feedback form.
  • Faculty can request up to 30 titles per list to be permanently transferred to their offices for research purposes.
  • Alternatively copy a file to share comments/feedback by the due date
  • Are there other ways you would like to participate? Contact Kathryn Johns-Masten

Fall 2024 Reviews

Library of Congress Subject Headings

N- Music and books on music

M - Fine Arts

Q - Science (General)

QA - Mathematics

QB - Astronomy

QC - Physics

QD - Chemistry

QH - Natural History - Biology

QK - Botany

 

How it will Work

  • Librarians will systematically review portions of the collection, starting spring 2023 and continuing for the next 3-5 years.
  • The librarians will post a list of books that have been identified for removal from the collection.
  • Interested faculty are invited to review each list.
  • Faculty and Staff feedback on the items on the list can be submitted via the Feedback form.
  • Each list will be available for review for a month, after which point the materials will be removed from the catalog, processed for discard, and recycled.

Criteria

Candidates for removal from the collection will be evaluated using criteria including circulation statistics, condition of the item, and outdated content. We also consider curricular relevance and availability of online access as factors when we decide to withdraw these items.

Current review criteria: Titles with zero to 1 use and with publication dates prior to 2010-2013 (depending on subject area).
Note: Materials purchased during the past 10-13 years (depending on subject area) are excluded from this review.

Collection Management Policy Scope

The community served by the Penfield Library is first and foremost the SUNY Oswego students and employees, and all materials acquired by the library will reflect the needs of this population. We support the resources surrounding and supporting classes to help SUNY Oswego students be successful. Due to space and financial limitations, the library cannot duplicate the collections and services of local public libraries.

Full Penfield Library Collection Management Policy

Deselection Lists

The following lists are available until May 3, 2024:

Asia DS  5,714 total titles - 2,833 on review list

Africa DT  2,100 total titles - 1,020 on review list

Oceania (South Seas), Romanies DU-DX  293 total titles - 155 on review list

History of the Americas E  14,515 total titles - 7,249 on review list

History of the Americas F  4,597 total titles - 2,159 on review list

Geography (General). Atlases. Maps, Mathematical geography. Cartography, Physical geography G-GB  1,411 total titles - 817 on review list

Oceanography, Environmental Sciences GC-GE  642 total titles - 320 on review list

All files are copyable to allow for easier sharing and adding comments/feedback. Select File then "Make a copy"

Terminology

Librarians use a variety of ways to talk about removing items from the colleciton.  The following terms all mean the same thing:

  • Deselection
  • Discarding
  • Removal
  • Weeding
  • Withdrawal

 

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