Martin Chandler
School of Arts & Social Sciences Liaison Librarian
Cape Breton University Library
1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1M 1A2
902-563-1996
(He/him)
Cape Breton University is located in Unama’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the L'nu
Sent: Wednesday, March 8, 2023 2:37 PM
To: Kathy Stroud <[log in to unmask]>; WAML <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: [Waml] Massive weeding of a map collection -- panel discussion/workshop?
Sent: Wednesday, March 8, 2023 9:55 AM
To: WAML <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: [Waml] Massive weeding of a map collection -- panel discussion/workshop?
Chris,
I’m definitely interested and would be willing to help organize, sit on a panel, etc. I successfully reduced the footprint of our map collection a number of years ago by withdrawing USGS series that were available online. However, I expect to come under pressure to further reduce the footprint as we are re-envisioning our library spaces, etc. Admittedly, it is in need of weeding/rethinking. There’s been a marked change in use over the last three years, faculty retirements have made downsizing more politically feasible, etc.
Other than formally redefining the scope/purpose of the collection (not always an easy thing to build consensus on), we face many logistic details such as less than 50% is cataloged, maps received through the FDLP are mixed in and not consistently identified, staff time, etc.
Kathy
From: Waml <[log in to unmask]>
On Behalf Of Ryan Ehrfurth
Sent: Wednesday, March 8, 2023 9:20 AM
To: WAML <[log in to unmask]>; Maps-l <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: [Waml] Massive weeding of a map collection -- panel discussion/workshop?
This topic is of interest to me.
I’m in the middle of a scanning project. I have an inventory of every map in our collection (the catalog is not accurate, that’s a whole other thing) and along the way I am marking which maps were not scanned and why. One of the categories is Out of Scope (based on my Collection Development Policy). So, why do we even have them?
At the end of the scanning project, it’s my intention to weed the Out of Scopes. I’m fortunate because I can make the call, and no powers above are compelling a downsize. This is a prescribed burn for the health of the forest.
Chris, I’ve been on the fence about attending WAML this year (horrible timing for me), but I’d be interested in co-presenting. When would you want a decision?
|
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Ryan Ehrfurth
State
of Arizona Research Library Arizona State Library, Archives & Public Records | azlibrary.gov 1901 W Madison | Phoenix, AZ 85009 |
From: Waml <[log in to unmask]>
On Behalf Of Laura McElfresh
Sent: Wednesday, March 8, 2023 8:52 AM
To: WAML <[log in to unmask]>; Maps-l <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: [Waml] Massive weeding of a map collection -- panel discussion/workshop?
Chris, I'd be interested in seeing a workshop like this! (I'm not worried about the UMN map library, so just on general principle.) I'm not sure how much the construction of a legacy plan would involve us catalogers, but we would be up to our ears in the implementation.
-Laura
--
Laura Kane McElfresh
Cartographic Metadata Librarian | University Libraries | lib.umn.edu/
309 19th Ave S, Suite 160
University of Minnesota | umn.edu | 612-626-5381
Twitter: @lkmcelfresh_ | LinkedIn: laura-kane-mcelfresh | ORCiD: 0000-0001-9530-4098
she, her, hers
On Tue, Mar 7, 2023 at 12:28 PM 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
Shipping address:
Colorado School of Mines
Christopher J.J. Thiry
Arthur Lakes Library
1301 19th Street
Golden, CO 80401
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