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Selection Policy for Shelf Space Adjustment

The following selection process should be used for all cases in which a CUL unit needs to reduce the number of volumes (or volume equivalents) in its general stacks; this will normally happen when the units holdings begin to exceed its available shelf space. This policy will not apply, however, to those instances in which a unit needs to reduce its total holdings only temporarily, e.g., for purposes of renovation.

1. Determine Volume Numbers and Collection Segments

Decide on the number of volumes (or equivalents) by which the unit collection needs to be reduced, and the segments of the collection within which that reduction will take place. In some cases, it may be preferable to target the whole collection, rather than particular segments.

2. Develop Macrocriteria

Some examples of macrocriteria include:

- materials that were published before a particular date or within a particular date range.

- materials that have not circulated since a particular date.

- ceased serial runs.

- serial volumes other than the most recent.

- materials in a particular language.

- materials in a particular form (e.g., dissertations) or format (e.g., microform).

- materials on a particular subject.

3. Obtain Faculty Input

Consult faculty departments and programs affected; explain macrocriteria and their rationale. Make adjustments as needed to the macrocriteria and target segments, based upon faculty input.

4. Obtain Review by RMC or Appropriate Rare Unit

Provide the appropriate rare materials selector with the opportunity to review material to be removed and to transfer selected items to RMC, another rare materials unit, or Annex Rare.

5. Search

Have all items searched that fall into macrocriteria.

6. Disposition

a. Transfer any titles to the Annex that are unique to CUL Ithaca.

b. Withdraw any titles held in any CUL Ithaca unit.

- in the case of serials, fill in any back volumes missing in other units before withdrawal.

- if the only copy held by a CUL Ithaca unit is missing, the item should be retained.


04/03/04