In our role as a recognized major research library, the Library acquires, organizes, makes available and preserves materials which support the University’s teaching, learning and research needs.
The expanded access to virtual collections has not eliminated the need for collections in hard copy. To ensure adequate space for evolving resources and services, the Library routinely relocates material to the Annex, an off-site facility jointly owned and operated by the TriUniversity Group of Libraries (TUG). In addition, when necessary and appropriate, the Library withdraws material from the collection.
Materials in the Annex can be found in Omni, the library catalogue, and requested for delivery to any location. Items in the Annex may be returned to library shelves if a librarian deems it appropriate.
The following categories of library materials may be considered for relocation or withdrawal:
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duplicate copies (including copies duplicated by an electronic format)
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superseded editions
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material which no longer supports teaching, learning and research at the University
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low-use material
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material in poor physical condition
Relocating material to the Annex
Material is relocated to the Annex at the discretion of appropriate collections librarians, in consultation with faculty library representatives as appropriate.
Librarians do the following when relocating material to the Annex:
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Establish specific criteria for selection of material to be relocated to the Annex.
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Identify specific titles or volumes to be relocated.
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At their discretion, invite other librarians or faculty members to review the items identified for relocation.
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Consult with circulation and cataloguing managers on the work required to relocate items.
Withdrawing material from the collection
In some cases it is appropriate to withdraw material. Withdrawal of duplicate copies may be done at the discretion of the librarian responsible. Decisions to withdraw the only copy of an item in the collection must be made by the collections librarian in consultation with others. The Library may withdraw material no longer deemed necessary for the collection. Withdrawn material may be offered to the Federation of Students’ used bookstore and other agencies. If no agency is interested in accepting withdrawn material, paper is recycled and microform is discarded.
Librarians do the following when withdrawing material from the collection:
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Establish specific criteria for selection of material to be withdrawn.
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Identify specific items as candidates for possible withdrawal and obtain a report documenting those items.
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Ensure that appropriate faculty members and other librarians have an opportunity to review the material to identify items that should remain in the collection.
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Consult with appropriate circulation and cataloguing managers on the work required to withdraw the selections.
Learn more about our collection review activities.
The University of Waterloo Library is a member of the Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL), the Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL), the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), and participates in a number of consortial projects including CRKN's Canadian National Site Licensing Project (CNSLP).
