The Briscoe Library weeded over 700 journal titles from the print collection to recreate/repurpose library space, which resulted in combining two floors of the print collection into one. This poster details the decision process, workflow, and management of weeding a large print collection over a short period of time. Presenter: Dana Whitmire, Electronic Resources/Serials Librarian at the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antoniom TX

1. ®
List
potential
titles
(Google
Doc for
multiple
users)
Measured
and
recorded
physical
space of
journals
Began
pulling
journals
Hired a
library
moving
contractor
to complete
weeding
Collection
Resources
staff
removed
items from
catalog
Hired part
time
employee
to update
union lists
and catalog
records
Calculated
value of
weeded
items
®
In October 2011, Briscoe Library at the UT Health Science Center San Antonio repurposed 5,000 square feet of space, to
make room for the new Office of Undergraduate Medical Education of the School of Medicine and updated student study
space. Construction began two weeks after the announcement and was completed in May 2012.
This space, located on the fifth floor of the library, originally housed the library’s book collection. Due to the loss of space for
the collection, and the time frame involved in renovations, it was decided to weed the serials collection, then transfer thebook
collection to the fourth floor consolidating the library’s book and journal collection onto one floor of the library building.
Introduction
Creating New Spaces for Our Future: A Weeding Workflow
Dana Whitmire, MSLS
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Lessons Learned
Criteria
Value of Items Withdrawn
In less than 10 months, over 18% of the collection was
withdrawn:
• 21,635 bound journal volumes
• 16,928 monographs
Combined original purchase value: $6,113,728
In order to clear out 5,000 square feet of space, the
Collection Resources team began researching print titles
for potential removal. Criteria for inclusion was:
• Titles with electronic access
• University of Texas SystemAcademic Library Collection
Enhancement Program (ALCEP) purchase/perpetual
access
• Free titles (reliable!)
• PubMed Central
• HighWire Press
• JSTOR
• Other
• Foreign language titles
• During this quick process, we learned that it is always
smart to check your work, then double-check it. Two
journals titles were mistakenly withdrawn, which had to
be replaced by purchasing online backfiles.
• Patrons adapt. The students love the new study space
and furnishings and we regularly receive compliments
on the renovated area.
• Major weeding projects require commitment and
collaboration from the entire university. Because of this
we now have a better relationship with other
departments (such as Campus Administration,
Facilities, and the Office of Undergraduate Medical
Education).
Project Resources
• Moving contractor (Southwest Solutions)
• Library Staff
• UT Health Science Center San Antonio Housekeeping
• UT Health Science Center San Antonio Facilities
including campus architect
• UT Health Science Center Medical Dean’s office