In fall 2016, the library began a project to evaluate the physical titles in our general collection in Stapleton Library, and to identify titles that were candidates for deaccessioning and removal from our holdings.
These pages explain deaccessioning (also known as “weeding”) at IUP, elements and stages of the overall process, and how feedback from the Ad Hoc Deaccessioning Committee has been used to modify the approach.
Goals
The goal of the deaccessioning process is to evaluate the physical holdings of the library while maintaining and enhancing access to library materials. At IUP, we’re specifically looking at two main goals:
Ensuring a selection, acquisition, and deselection lifecycle that is in line with current library best practices and new technologies
Keeping the collection modern, relevant, and aligned with the university’s academic mission
A New Approach
Based on feedback from the university community, the provost established the Ad Hoc Deaccessioning Committee to re-examine and revamp the process, communicate changes, and engage the university community. The committee determined that certain changes should be made as part of a new approach to deaccessioning:
- Partnering with HathiTrust to ensure that we maintain access to as many titles as possible while also expanding our digital collections.
- Adding a new phase to solicit faculty collaboration/feedback regarding essential titles that must be retained in physical form.
- Developing additional refinement criteria to apply to existing data and inform decisions to keep or remove a book.
- Creating this site as the central point to find updated information and communicate with the library and committee.