Do we really need to keep this? Management of long term book storage

http://web.b.ebscohost.com.proxy.lib.wayne.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=19&sid=f99cb323-5bd5-4f0c-ab25-a5954683ae4e%40sessionmgr120&hid=105

http://www.oclc.org/content/dam/research/publications/library/2007/2007-01.pdf

It should be pretty obvious that the amount of storage space available for physical documents or other types of media is not limitless.  While there are vast quantities of information that should be stored, is it necessary that every library keep all of their copies of important work?  This question is particularly critical for academic institutions since older material can still be relevant to current research.  What options are available to help manage items in long term storage?


1. Google Books and Google Scholar (mass digitization)- Google has worked in cooperation with several colleges and universities to scan books and journal articles.  This has allowed students world wide access to information.  If a scanned book does not have copyright limitations it can be downloaded by the user. As this technology continues to grow it may no longer be necessary for every library maintain it own physical copies.

2. Print Repository Networks - This is made of a group of libraries that all have access to items held in storage.  The idea is to keep only one copy of a book or journal but allow patrons of all the facilities in the network to have access as needed.  An arrangement like this would significantly decrease the storage of duplicate items while maintaining important collections.

3. Shared Journal Archives - An idea similar to the one previously listed.  Archives like this can really only be used with journals that have both print and digital versions.  A group of libraries make an agreement that only one physical copy of a journal will go into a shared depository while the digital version is made available to patrons.

4. Last or Single Copy Facilities - Another variation on the idea of maintaining one copy of an item.  Here the libraries involved agree to not send duplicate copies to storage and to allow all participating institutions permanent access.

Increased availability of digital versions of journals and e-books may eventually lessen demands on book storage space.  However, that is not yet the case.  In the meantime, let's use the facilities we have appropriately, though careful consideration of the materials we send there.