Decisions in resource management: The case of microforms

Abstract

This study examines management of microforms at libraries and institutions maintaining an active interest in their own microform collections, defined for the purpose of this study as those not only holding, but still acquiring microforms. Survey results presented here, which identify factors that contribute to retention and discard decisions -including holdings of the same content in different formats -are considered in the context of decision theory. Findings could inform current and future decisions relating to the microforms discussed here as well as to holdings in formats dependent on other technologies that will eventually change.

The Influence of the Online Availability of USGS Topographic Maps on Weeding Decisions in Academic Libraries

“…The "Carnegie Classifications Data File" (Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching 2012) provided information on the academic institution and Federal Land Ownership: Overview and Data (Gorte et al 2012) provided information on a state's federal land ownership. Three published survey results on libraries' weeding of unique formats or materials were used as models for survey development: Abbott and Scherlen (2013) examined the deaccessioning of the NUC in mid-size academic libraries, King (2012) investigated weeding of reference collections in ARL academic libraries, and Keogh (2012) surveyed libraries regarding considerations when deciding to retain or discard microform collections. Building on these successful surveys and using Dillman's (2007) Mail and Internet Surveys: the Tailored Design Method as a guide, questions were developed to address…”