I would love to hear more about this. My collection is in need of weeding, but also of cataloging at least 2/3 or more of the collection. We have a large backlog of gifted maps in the storage room. No idea what is there. We are currently working on the project of scanning maps without copyright, and are adding a large collection of aerial photographs. I am the only librarian for the collections and only 0,75 employed and have student workers who do the cataloging. My new boss is talking about throwing out maps. How do you even start doing it right… !

 

If there is any option to join the discussion by zoom or to get a recording or digest of what was talked about, I would be very happy!

 

Krina

 

 

Krina Doekes Brandt | Map Librarian, Librarian for Geography and Urban Studies

Bloomfield Library for the Humanities and Social Sciences
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
T 97225880170+  | F +972.25322435
krinad@savion.huji.ac.il

  

Our website: Map library

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From: Maps-L: Map Librarians, etc. <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of Alyssa Renteria
Sent: Tuesday, 7 March 2023 21:41
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Massive weeding of a map collection -- panel discussion/workshop?

 

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

 

Shipping address:

Colorado School of Mines

Christopher J.J. Thiry

Arthur Lakes Library

1301 19th Street

Golden, CO 80401