Abstract

Leonard H. Axe Library at Pittsburg State University (PSU) is undergoing a 5-year building renovation focused on creating new services and spaces, including technology rich spaces, media recording rooms, group study spaces, and more. As part of the renovation project, Library Services was tasked with reducing the circulating collection footprint by approximately fifty percent. One part of the challenge was to face the traditional campus and librarian perceptions of reducing the collection. If mishandled, perceptions of the process can turn into negative emotions or public outcry that can delay or shut down a project. Librarians at Axe Library set out to engage our campus during the de-selection process and make everyone an active participant. The de-selection process, documents, and guidelines were accessible and transparent to campus faculty. Campus stakeholders were invited to share their concerns and opinions with the library throughout the process. As a result, faculty are discovering materials the library has in its collection and helping request newer updated content. In addition, new and surprising partnerships emerged from the conversations and interactions.

Keywords: weeding, deselection

How to Cite:

Lindsey, R. M., Leon, J. A., Jr. & Taggart, L., (2017) “Making Room for New Spaces and Services: Engaging Your Community to Help During the Deselection Process”, Kansas Library Association College and University Libraries Section Proceedings 1(2017). doi: https://doi.org/10.4148/2160-942X.1064