This initiative, which restarted in 2024 and continues into summer 2025 and beyond, reflects our commitment to supporting evolving research and teaching needs across disciplines. 

Background 

Collection management is a proactive process that ensures the library’s collections remain relevant, discoverable, and aligned with academic priorities. Prior to the pandemic, regular reviews helped us manage space, improve access, and maintain a balanced collection. The interruption caused by Covid-19 led to a backlog of unreviewed materials and a growing need to reassess how our physical collections serve the university community. 

Why Now? 

The decision to resume collection management was driven by several key factors: 

• Post-pandemic recovery: With campus life stabilised, we can now safely and effectively carry out in-person collection work. 
• Space pressures: As new materials arrive and student numbers grow, space in the Library is at a premium. 
• Changing usage patterns: Increased use of digital resources has shifted demand, prompting a re-evaluation of what needs to remain on open shelves. 
• Sustainability goals: Responsible collection management supports our environmental commitments by reducing unnecessary storage and duplication. 

Criteria for Review 

Books are being assessed using a combination of qualitative and quantitative criteria, including: 

• Relevance to current and potential teaching and research priorities within the University 
• Level of usage 
• Duplication within the Library 
• Currency of the edition 
• Availability of electronic equivalents 
• Physical condition 
• Rarity in the UK and Ireland 
• Relevance to Special Collections & Archives 

Items identified for withdrawal are handled responsibly, with options for donation, resale, or recycling, depending on condition and demand.  

 Summer 2025 work completed 

This summer’s collection management work included a wide-ranging set of targeted actions: 

• Reviewed low usage Short Loan books  
• Reviewed Standard Loan books in subject areas which have not been reviewed for a number of years 
• Reviewed gifts in language and literature sections that are no longer relevant to teaching or research, with disposal decisions made in consultation with the Schools  
• Initiated review of reference collections on Floors 1 and 2 
• Deaccessioned selected outdated editions of law books  
• Consolidated Official Publications 

These actions were carried out in close collaboration with subject librarians to ensure decisions were informed and aligned with current teaching and research priorities.