Interesting idea, Chris. And especially salient to me since "my" own
collection (to say nothing of my employment) was just shipped to offsite
storage, its ultimate disposition allegedly still TBD.

A couple of initial thoughts come to mind:

   - Would the discussion focus exclusively on "how to manage the
   downsizing process," or also touch on "how to prevent/fight off the
   downsizing"? They're related, but I wonder if there's much new to say about
   the latter?
   - How does managing the downsizing process relate to a collection
   development policy? A good policy might be a road map for downsizing, but a
   major downsizing might well require major revisions to said policy.

Michael Fry (recently "de-cruited" from National Geographic Society)

On Tue, Mar 7, 2023 at 2:53 PM Alyssa Renteria <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:

> That sounds like a great panel discussion. It would be helpful to folks
> like me, who have partial responsibility for the map collections but
> haven't had that experience before. Our institution hasn't had a map
> librarian in years and there are no plans to hire a new one. My colleagues
> aren't too familiar with map collections either. Add in the fact that this
> isn't our primary focus for our jobs, the map collections are sort of
> frozen in time. I'd love to hear people talk about collection destruction
> in case we do end up doing a mass weeding project in the future.
>
> On Tue, Mar 7, 2023 at 10:50 AM Christopher Thiry <[log in to unmask]>
> wrote:
>
>> All,
>>
>> I would like to lead a panel discussion or even a workshop at the
>> upcoming WAML (Western Association of Map Libraries) meeting in Vancouver,
>> BC, August 9-12 (https://waml.org/conferences/waml-2023/) regarding
>> massive weeding projects/concepts of a map collection.
>>
>> We can all point to examples of map collections that have been gutted
>> when a map librarian leaves.  The moment that person leaves, the powers
>> that be decides the map collection must be downsized 50%, 60%, 70%, or even
>> 90%.
>>
>> How should we, as librarians in charge of map collections, put a plan in
>> place so that a massive weeding project is done with forethought & care?
>> If a massive cull needs to be done, can we be given the dignity of doing
>> it ourselves.  After all, we're the ones who know these collections the
>> best—what is important, well-used, unique.
>>
>> We all have been to sessions about collection development but what about
>> collection destruction?
>>
>>
>> Would any of you find this panel discussion/workshop helpful or even
>> interesting?
>>
>> Who wants to work with me on this?
>>
>> Many thanks.  Yours in maps,
>>
>> *Christopher J.J. Thiry*
>>
>> *Map & GIS Librarian*
>> *Academic Outreach Coordinator*
>>
>> Colorado School of Mines
>> Arthur Lakes Library
>> 1400 Illinois
>> Golden, CO 80401
>> p. 303-273-3697
>> f. 303-273-3199
>> *[log in to unmask]* <[log in to unmask]>
>> *http://www.mines.edu/library/ <http://www.mines.edu/library/>*
>>
>> *Shipping address:*
>> Colorado School of Mines
>> Christopher J.J. Thiry
>> Arthur Lakes Library
>> 1301 19th Street
>> Golden, CO 80401
>>
>