Collection management policies and guidelines

De-selection of library materials is the process of removing items from the collection and is essential for the maintenance of an active, academically useful library collection. Subject specialists are responsible for conducting an ongoing de-selection effort in their designated disciplines and for maintaining the quality of the collection.

Benefits to be gained through de-selection include an increase in the availability of space for collections and services, and a higher proportion of relevant materials on the shelves for the use of the university community.

De-selection decisions are made using flexible guidelines in conjunction with perceptive judgment.  The following factors should be considered on a discipline by discipline basis:

• Relevancy to the university's programs
• Timeliness and currency of the information
• Value for historical research
• Last copy with archival value 
• Superseded editions/volumes
• Redundancy or multiple copies
• Usage data
• Physical condition
• Obsolete technologies or format

Approved Nov. 18, 2010