What to Withdraw?

Amy Kumar

Schonfeld, R. C., Housewright, R., & Ithaka S + R. (2009). What to withdraw?: Print collections management in the wake of digitization. United States: Ithaka S + R.

Summary
The large scale digitization initiatives across libraries have changed the way libraries weed their print collections. The current review methods for determining what gets weeded and what stays is based on local considerations, accessibility to digital copies, and funding. This article addressed these issues and asks two important questions: "Which types of print journals can libraries withdraw responsibly today, and how can that set of materials be expanded to allow libraries the maximum possible flexibility?" (Schonfeld & Housewright, 2). The analysis finds several reasons to retain print copies, including poor digital preservation quality, unreliable systems requirements, visual components that may not be digitally preservable, and campus politics. Results concluded that there is a need to keep "at least one print copy of well-digitized digitally preserved text-only materials to be available for at least 20 years" (Schonfeld & Housewright, 2).
Analysis
This is a very useful study for collection managers, as it not only picks apart the current issues surrounding print and digital preservation, but it included recommended "action steps" that librarians can take in order to address these issues. These best practices are recommended in the case of responsible withdrawals, and the various cases in which visual materials are not well digitized. The intersection between collection development and preservation is also addressed, and I find this an important point to make, as the future of our libraries depend on collection development that addresses both digital issues and print. The article ends on a solid point: "We are confident that by taking a pragmatic, well-reasoned approach to these issues, the community can achieve consensus around print preservation that allows for appropriate print collection management in the digital age" (Schonfeld & Housewright, 24). Every collection manager should at least be aware of this article (available as an ebook) in making weeding decisions.