Library Collections Project 2009-2013

We are reorganising the Library’s collections and some of our spaces. From January 2009, the Collections Project will re-profile Library collections to better meet our users’ current and future needs and address space shortages.

Project updates

Aims

  • Make sure the Library’s collections of books, journals, and electronic resources serve the needs of all students and researchers
  • Provide more user work spaces at the Main Library 
  • Provide easy access to the most needed books and journals (and also to less heavily used material - from storage or through reciprocal networks) 
  • Improve the layout of the collections and the signs so that the Library is as easy to use as possible
  • Increase access to electronic sources of information when possible
  • Provide better long-term protection for stored books
  • Enable Bulmershe Library to be closed

Our aim is to create a single, well-maintained and spacious Library on the Whiteknights campus which best serves the needs of all our users

Background

Student sitting at a desk by some shelves

  • Main Library is over 80% full (and 90% in many areas)
  • Bulmershe Library is to close and books etc will be assimilated into Main Library
  • More user study areas are needed at the Main Library
  • Our printed collections need to be reviewed to make sure they meet the needs of current students and researchers; also a better, more modern balance between printed sources and electronic access is required
  • Collection layouts and guiding need to be improved to make the Library easier to use 
  • Some Special Collections need more suitable accommodation, as their current home is being redeveloped for other purposes   

Bulmershe Library closure

It is planned to close Bulmershe Library by Summer 2011, in line with the University’s strategy to withdraw academic activity from the Bulmershe campus. The collections at Bulmershe will be assimilated into Main Library (and underused items will be moved to a new Library Store).

During the period of the moves we are planning that books and journals from Bulmershe will only be unavailable when they are in transit. Regular news about the moves will be posted on the website in the latest news section: this will cover dates when material will be unavailable because it is in transit.

During this transitional period we will be aiming to enhance collections for Bulmershe students as much as we can. This may involve purchasing additional core texts for the Course Collection, digitising more recommended readings and, as resources allow, purchasing additional electronic sources of information, including more e-books.

Stages of the Project

Action

Timescale

Review rarely used Bulmershe Library copies of titles duplicated at the Main Library

September 2008 onwards

Publish a revised Collection Development Policy and statements for specific subject areas

Spring Term 2009

Make decisions on which books and journals can be relegated to closed access storage (and which can be withdrawn) in order to remove unwanted or low use books and journals from the open access shelves

Jan 2009 onwards

Acquire a new Library Store for low use books and journals

Ongoing

Move underused material to the new Store

2011

Assimilate Bulmershe Library stock and study places into Main Library

2011 onwards

Further re-configure Main Library collections and create additional study space, including returning the 2nd and 4th Floor Reading Rooms to their original function by removing shelving

2011-2013

For more information view the presentation (PDF) containing key information about the Project.

How the Collections Project affects you

  • All academic staff will be affected to some extent by the Project as teaching, study and research materials are reviewed.
  • We’re planning to keep disruption to Library services as minimal as we can. However, you may notice occasional stock moves taking place and temporarily empty shelves, especially at Bulmershe Library. Please ask at an Information Desk if you need help finding things.
  • We encourage School and Department Heads, and Library Representatives to promote the Project to colleagues. Ask them to view this presentation (PDF) containing key information about the project.
  • Academic staff will be consulted on relegation of materials to closed access storage and on material to be withdrawn. You may be asked to make decisions on selected items by your department’s liaison librarian and Library representative.
  • We will discuss with Bulmershe Court teaching staff how to ensure access to Library resources after Bulmershe Library closes. Materials will only be unavailable when they are in the process of being transferred to the Main Library. 
  • Older, less-used materials which are transferred to closed access areas will have to be requested. See Requesting items from closed access collections for details of the current arrangements.

Frequently asked questions

1 What are the criteria for relegating material to closed access storage?

Broadly, we will consider for relegation material we need to keep indefinitely for teaching and /or research, but which is underused or unsuitable for open shelves. Details are in the general Collection Development Policy and statements for specific subject areas.

2 How long will it take to see relegated material?

Current arrangements will not change. See Requesting items from closed access collections for details of the current arrangements.

3 What are the criteria for withdrawing material?

These are outlined in the Library’s general Collection Development Policy and statements for specific subject areas.

4 What happens to withdrawn Library material?

In line with our general Collection Development Policy, material is offered to second-hand dealers, other libraries or charities; or it is recycled

5 Why is Bulmershe Library closing?

The University is planning to withdraw academic activity from Bulmershe Court and has asked the University Library to create a single Library service on the Whiteknights campus as soon as is practicable.

Contacts

For more information on the Collections Project and information about progress contact:

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