British universities are facing a space crisis, with their libraries bursting at the seams! But wait, it's not just about finding room for new books; it's about preserving the old and rare ones too. A battle for shelf space is underway, and it's a delicate balance.
Imagine over 150 million books and journals, a number that keeps climbing, all vying for a spot on the shelves of UK universities. Institutions like Birmingham, St Andrews, Sheffield, and Cardiff each boast collections exceeding a million items. Bristol's library alone stretches an impressive 12 miles of shelves!
The Bodleian Libraries at Oxford and Cambridge University Library are powerhouses, holding invaluable treasures. Oxford safeguards over 13 million printed items, including Shakespeare's first folio, while Cambridge houses eight million books and journals, featuring collections from iconic figures like Darwin, Turing, and Newton.
But here's the twist: while many students research online, libraries still acquire new monographs, journals, and materials. So, how do they manage this influx? Enter the UK Print Book Collection (UK PBC) initiative, a game-changer in space management.
UK PBC introduces a clever rule: libraries can 'deaccession' a book (sell, recycle, or discard) only if at least seven copies exist across other members. This rule could potentially free up 50-80% of shelf space, according to UK PBC analysis. But academics remain cautious, believing many rare books will stay put.
Jane Saunders from the University of Leeds, with its 2.7 million print books, highlights the importance of print. She emphasizes that some materials are exclusively available in print, and UK PBC ensures they consider the needs of future generations. It's about preserving the last copies of rare books.
Leeds University identifies unique strengths in its collection, from local history to early specialisms in color chemistry and textiles, and significant education policy works. They vow to maintain and invest in these collections.
The University of Warwick, a UK PBC pioneer, faces a similar space crunch. Despite discarding 5,000 items annually, their 27-mile shelving has a mere 100 meters left. It's a tight squeeze!
UK PBC's Joanna Little anticipates more universities and research libraries joining the initiative, inspired by similar efforts in North America and Europe. The focus is on collaborative preservation of print materials for the long term.
But here's where it gets controversial: is it ethical to deaccession books, even with the seven copies rule? What if a book is unique to a library's collection? Should it be preserved regardless of usage? These questions spark debate. How do we balance space management with the responsibility to protect rare knowledge? Share your thoughts below!
