Dark Dim and Daring - Our process for rapidly reducing our collection

Abstract

In the spring of 2010, Wendt Commons Library embarked on a project to repurpose our 4th floor from book stacks and study space into a Teaching and Learning Center. To create this flexible and technology-enhanced ?learning emporium?, the 4th floor collection consisting of over 90,000 volumes needed to be removed along with the stacks. Other space in the library was not available, the shelving facilities were full, funding was not offered, and the timetable was 1 year. By creating Dim and Dark temporary storage, enlisting a student workforce, and benefiting from an ISyE student study of our workflows, we daringly set out to accomplish our goals. The purpose of this paper is to share our process so that other libraries facing similar circumstances may benefit.