Hi Sarah,

I would recommend starting to collect usage statistics for all titles
(back years included) as soon as possible.  I have been able to weed
back issues and inactive titles that weren't being used based on the
usage statistics.  I too have to justify weeding recommendations and
having statistical documentation really helps when making weeding
decisions.

Keeping statistics on active titles only helps with purchasing
decisions.  Purchasing and weeding are two distinct serials collection
management functions.

Barb

barb dietsch | serials coordinator
epa library | unc contract staff
109 alexander drive | mail code c267-01
research triangle park, nc 27711
phone: 919.541.0726
fax: 919.541.1405
dietsch.barbara@epa.gov

             Sarah Sanford
             <ssanford@GUSTAV
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             Serials in
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             Discussion               [SERIALST] Weeding print
             Forum"                   periodicals
             <SERIALST@list.u
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             07/23/2008 03:55
             PM

              Please respond
                    to
                "SERIALST:
                Serials in
                Libraries
                Discussion
                  Forum"
             <SERIALST@list.u
                 vm.edu>

I need professional weeding/shifting advice!

We are a small academic library with approximately 1000 active print
journals. Last summer we finished shifting the entire periodicals
collection, leaving 5 years of growth for all active titles. In many
cases, we had to use the bottom shelf because of space concerns--which
means in less than 5 years we will be at full capacity.

I am not a librarian but I am the manager of the periodicals department.

All weeding has to be approved by the librarians. What suggestions do
you have to 1) create space in the collection and
2) help facilitate a weeding project?

One idea is to document all the titles which have short runs (1-10
years) and are older than 1990 and see if I can weed these. What we
can't get through ILL we would likely keep. We keep usage stats but only

on active titles. We already have a number of titles on a retention
cycle (JSTOR, etc.) and we substitute online for print where it is cost
effective. I don't work directly with departments and have no idea which

titles we need to keep for 50 years and which we only need to keep for
5. Weeding the periodicals collection will not be a priority for the
librarians, but it's one we have to do to create space.

Any suggestions?

Thanks for your help.

--

Sarah Monson
Serials Manager
Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library
Gustavus Adolphus College
St. Peter, MN 56082
Phone: 507-933-7562
Fax: 507-933-6292

What I’m reading: The Language Instinct by Steven Pinker