[Videolib] Plea from a Media Collection Decimation Zone

[Seay, Jared Alexander]

Media Collections Colleagues,

 

I send this out at least in part as a plea for support - moral support
at the very least.  Last week from out of the blue my library director
announced that we were to move our media collection (about 4000 VHS
videos and DVDs) from the media room (with closed stacks) downstairs to
open stacks around the circulation desk.  Although some of the titles
known to be heavily used by faculty for teaching are to be put "behind
the desk" in a limited teaching collection,  most of the titles are to
be placed in an "outer ring" of shelving around the circulation desk
open to patrons and the public.  

 

Though we had been told that we would be investigating and planning for
such a potential move sometime in the new year, this directive came
without warning and certainly without any significant planning or
forethought.   The titles are to be put on open shelving.  There are no
locked cases involved and none of the titles are tattle-taped.   In the
media room patrons had to check-out titles even if they wanted to view
them in the media room.  We could track circulation statistics as well
as maintain a high level of security.  As of the beginning of 2012, no
such control will be in place.  In short, the entire collection will be
unsecure and exposed to whomever deans pull a title off the shelf - to
view or otherwise.

I have expressed my deep concerns, but the answer I have gotten back is
that we "will put things out on the shelves and monitor the shrinkage."
Not the most effective way to manage the collection I have noted. Seems
akin to putting pamphlets on a display that says "take one."  Seems to
me this gets to the basic issue of what a library media collection is
for, and how should it be used and managed?  

 

For the record, my concerns have been echoed by other collages including
several higher up my chain of command.  But, top level administration is
un-swayed by such arguments, though I intend to continue to make them
even as I am compelled to move the collection.  I suspect there are
backroom politics involving space issues ownership (of the media room)
that I will not go into here.  My biggest concern, apart from the sheer
suddenness of it all, is the future security and integrity of the
collection.  To go from a closed room (with check-out viewing only) to
completely open stacks with no security control virtually overnight is
not a good thing in my opinion.  I fear that my circulating collection
is about to be decimated and devalued at the very least.  

 

I suppose that in my shock at what I have been asked to do, I need some
input from those on this list.  My big question to my media colleagues
on this list is this:  Does anyone out there have their media collection
on completely open stacks with no security?I'll take any input
(advisory or consoling) I can get.

 

Thanks in advance and happy holidays.

 

jared

 

 

Jared Alexander Seay   

Reference Librarian 

Head, Media Collections 

Addlestone Library 

College of Charleston

Charleston SC 29424

 

Main Office:   843-953-1428   blogs.cofc.edu/seayj/
 

Media Collections: 843-953-8040   blogs.cofc.edu/media collections
 

 

Addlestone Report:blogs.cofc.edu/addlestonereport
 

Reference Services:  blogs.cofc.edu/refblog
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues 
relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, 
preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and 
related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective 
working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication 
between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and 
distributors.

Re: [Videolib] Plea from a Media Collection Decimation Zone

[Mandel, Debra]

Hi Jared-

Sorry this came upon you so suddenly.  I feel your shock.  Four+ years ago our 
Media Center collection went to open stacks  (integrated with books!) except 
for a restricted reserve collection to remain in Access Services.  (We are 
still working at qualifying the restricted Reserve policy but working towards 
anything over $200+ and items heavily used for classes and not available on 
DVD).  All of our materials are stripped however,; we did not opt for locking 
cases.  We have lost some materials, and I have replaced what I can.  
Unfortunately, your administration has a very reckless (and heartless) attitude 
about this dictum.  Will they have someone doing regular inventories, add money 
in the budget to replace missing materials?

Best,
Debra

From: "Seay, Jared Alexander" mailto:se...@cofc.edu>>
Reply-To: "videolib@lists.berkeley.edu<mailto:videolib@lists.berkeley.edu>" 
mailto:videolib@lists.berkeley.edu>>
Date: Wed, 21 Dec 2011 11:18:48 -0500
To: "videolib@lists.berkeley.edu<mailto:videolib@lists.berkeley.edu>" 
mailto:videolib@lists.berkeley.edu>>
Subject: [Videolib] Plea from a Media Collection Decimation Zone

Media Collections Colleagues,

I send this out at least in part as a plea for support – moral support at the 
very least.  Last week from out of the blue my library director announced that 
we were to move our media collection (about 4000 VHS videos and DVDs) from the 
media room (with closed stacks) downstairs to open stacks around the 
circulation desk.  Although some of the titles known to be heavily used by 
faculty for teaching are to be put “behind the desk” in a limited teaching 
collection,  most of the titles are to be placed in an “outer ring” of shelving 
around the circulation desk open to patrons and the public.

Though we had been told that we would be investigating and planning for such a 
potential move sometime in the new year, this directive came without warning 
and certainly without any significant planning or forethought.   The titles are 
to be put on open shelving.  There are no locked cases involved and none of the 
titles are tattle-taped.   In the media room patrons had to check-out titles 
even if they wanted to view them in the media room.  We could track circulation 
statistics as well as maintain a high level of security.  As of the beginning 
of 2012, no such control will be in place.  In short, the entire collection 
will be unsecure and exposed to whomever deans pull a title off the shelf - to 
view or otherwise.
I have expressed my deep concerns, but the answer I have gotten back is that we 
“will put things out on the shelves and monitor the shrinkage.”  Not the most 
effective way to manage the collection I have noted. Seems akin to putting 
pamphlets on a display that says “take one.”  Seems to me this gets to the 
basic issue of what a library media collection is for, and how should it be 
used and managed?

For the record, my concerns have been echoed by other collages including 
several higher up my chain of command.  But, top level administration is 
un-swayed by such arguments, though I intend to continue to make them even as I 
am compelled to move the collection.  I suspect there are backroom politics 
involving space issues ownership (of the media room) that I will not go into 
here.  My biggest concern, apart from the sheer suddenness of it all, is the 
future security and integrity of the collection.  To go from a closed room 
(with check-out viewing only) to completely open stacks with no security 
control virtually overnight is not a good thing in my opinion.  I fear that my 
circulating collection is about to be decimated and devalued at the very least.

I suppose that in my shock at what I have been asked to do, I need some input 
from those on this list.  My big question to my media colleagues on this list 
is this:  Does anyone out there have their media collection on completely open 
stacks with no security?I’ll take any input (advisory or consoling) I can 
get.

Thanks in advance and happy holidays.

jared


Jared Alexander Seay
Reference Librarian
Head, Media Collections
Addlestone Library
College of Charleston
Charleston SC 29424

Main Office:   843-953-1428   
blogs.cofc.edu/seayj/<http://blogs.cofc.edu/seayj/>
Media Collections: 843-953-8040   blogs.cofc.edu/media 
collections<http://blogs.cofc.edu/mediacollections/>

Addlestone Report:
blogs.cofc.edu/addlestonereport<http://blogs.cofc.edu/addlestonereport/>
Reference Services:  blogs.cofc.edu/refblog<http://blogs.cofc.edu/refblog/>






VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues 
relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, 
preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and 
related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective 
working tool for vi

Re: [Videolib] Plea from a Media Collection Decimation Zone

[Brigid Duffy]

Check with other libraries in the area to see what their theft rate is  
("monitor the shrinkage" - really! The items don't decrease in size,  
they get stolen.).


Work up an estimate on what it will cost to replace that percentage of  
the collection - or do a range, of 5% - 10% - 25%.


Present this to The Powers That Be, and thank them for the increase in  
your media purchasing budget, which they must perforce immediately  
authorize to replace the items that will  be stolen. You will handle  
the complaints from faculty and students about class disruption and  
information lost - unless they ask to speak to a higher authority.


It's an idea, anyway.

Brigid Duffy
Media Acquisitions
Academic Technology
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA  94132-4200
E-mail: bdu...@sfsu.edu


On Dec 21, 2011, at 8:18 AM, Seay, Jared Alexander wrote:


Media Collections Colleagues,

I send this out at least in part as a plea for support – moral  
support at the very least.  Last week from out of the blue my  
library director announced that we were to move our media collection  
(about 4000 VHS videos and DVDs) from the media room (with closed  
stacks) downstairs to open stacks around the circulation desk.   
Although some of the titles known to be heavily used by faculty for  
teaching are to be put “behind the desk” in a limited teaching  
collection,  most of the titles are to be placed in an “outer ring”  
of shelving around the circulation desk open to patrons and the  
public.


Though we had been told that we would be investigating and planning  
for such a potential move sometime in the new year, this directive  
came without warning and certainly without any significant planning  
or forethought.   The titles are to be put on open shelving.  There  
are no locked cases involved and none of the titles are tattle- 
taped.   In the media room patrons had to check-out titles even if  
they wanted to view them in the media room.  We could track  
circulation statistics as well as maintain a high level of  
security.  As of the beginning of 2012, no such control will be in  
place.  In short, the entire collection will be unsecure and exposed  
to whomever deans pull a title off the shelf - to view or otherwise.
I have expressed my deep concerns, but the answer I have gotten back  
is that we “will put things out on the shelves and monitor the  
shrinkage.”  Not the most effective way to manage the collection I  
have noted. Seems akin to putting pamphlets on a display that says  
“take one.”  Seems to me this gets to the basic issue of what a  
library media collection is for, and how should it be used and  
managed?


For the record, my concerns have been echoed by other collages  
including several higher up my chain of command.  But, top level  
administration is un-swayed by such arguments, though I intend to  
continue to make them even as I am compelled to move the  
collection.  I suspect there are backroom politics involving space  
issues ownership (of the media room) that I will not go into here.   
My biggest concern, apart from the sheer suddenness of it all, is  
the future security and integrity of the collection.  To go from a  
closed room (with check-out viewing only) to completely open stacks  
with no security control virtually overnight is not a good thing in  
my opinion.  I fear that my circulating collection is about to be  
decimated and devalued at the very least.


I suppose that in my shock at what I have been asked to do, I need  
some input from those on this list.  My big question to my media  
colleagues on this list is this:  Does anyone out there have their  
media collection on completely open stacks with no security?I’ll  
take any input (advisory or consoling) I can get.


Thanks in advance and happy holidays.

jared


Jared Alexander Seay
Reference Librarian
Head, Media Collections
Addlestone Library
College of Charleston
Charleston SC 29424

Main Office:   843-953-1428   blogs.cofc.edu/seayj/
Media Collections: 843-953-8040   blogs.cofc.edu/media collections

Addlestone Report:blogs.cofc.edu/addlestonereport
Reference Services:  blogs.cofc.edu/refblog






VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of  
issues relating to the selection, evaluation,  
acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current  
and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It  
is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for  
video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between  
libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and  
distributors.


VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues 
relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, 
preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and 
related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective 
working tool for vi

Re: [Videolib] Plea from a Media Collection Decimation Zone

[Norman Howden]

Jared,

The first thing I'd be concerned about is the administrative and financial 
impact.  The auditors and campus police for your college should be informed.  
The likelihood of dramatic loss for what is a capitalized fixed asset is no 
small concern.  Such a change will require frequent re-inventorying to identify 
losses, there will be concerns when items with your college identification show 
up in resale bookstore and eBay, and if the press gets its hands on the story 
that the college has failed to guard its collection, some of those 
administrators will flat lose their jobs.


Norman Howden, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean, Educational Resources
El Centro College
214-860-2176
nor...@dcccd.edu
Please visit our website at: http://www.elcentrocollege.edu/library/
  
 "It may plausibly be urged that the shape of a culture - its mores, 
evaluations, family organizations,  eating habits, living patterns, pedagogical 
methods, institutions, forms of government, and so forth -  arise from the 
economic necessities of its technology."
   - Heinlein, 1940


>>> "Seay, Jared Alexander"  12/21/2011 10:18 AM >>>
Media Collections Colleagues,

 

I send this out at least in part as a plea for support - moral support
at the very least.  Last week from out of the blue my library director
announced that we were to move our media collection (about 4000 VHS
videos and DVDs) from the media room (with closed stacks) downstairs to
open stacks around the circulation desk.  Although some of the titles
known to be heavily used by faculty for teaching are to be put "behind
the desk" in a limited teaching collection,  most of the titles are to
be placed in an "outer ring" of shelving around the circulation desk
open to patrons and the public.  

 

Though we had been told that we would be investigating and planning for
such a potential move sometime in the new year, this directive came
without warning and certainly without any significant planning or
forethought.   The titles are to be put on open shelving.  There are no
locked cases involved and none of the titles are tattle-taped.   In the
media room patrons had to check-out titles even if they wanted to view
them in the media room.  We could track circulation statistics as well
as maintain a high level of security.  As of the beginning of 2012, no
such control will be in place.  In short, the entire collection will be
unsecure and exposed to whomever deans pull a title off the shelf - to
view or otherwise.

I have expressed my deep concerns, but the answer I have gotten back is
that we "will put things out on the shelves and monitor the shrinkage."
Not the most effective way to manage the collection I have noted. Seems
akin to putting pamphlets on a display that says "take one."  Seems to
me this gets to the basic issue of what a library media collection is
for, and how should it be used and managed?  

 

For the record, my concerns have been echoed by other collages including
several higher up my chain of command.  But, top level administration is
un-swayed by such arguments, though I intend to continue to make them
even as I am compelled to move the collection.  I suspect there are
backroom politics involving space issues ownership (of the media room)
that I will not go into here.  My biggest concern, apart from the sheer
suddenness of it all, is the future security and integrity of the
collection.  To go from a closed room (with check-out viewing only) to
completely open stacks with no security control virtually overnight is
not a good thing in my opinion.  I fear that my circulating collection
is about to be decimated and devalued at the very least.  

 

I suppose that in my shock at what I have been asked to do, I need some
input from those on this list.  My big question to my media colleagues
on this list is this:  Does anyone out there have their media collection
on completely open stacks with no security?I'll take any input
(advisory or consoling) I can get.

 

Thanks in advance and happy holidays.

 

jared

 

 

Jared Alexander Seay   

Reference Librarian 

Head, Media Collections 

Addlestone Library 

College of Charleston

Charleston SC 29424

 

Main Office:   843-953-1428   blogs.cofc.edu/seayj/
 

Media Collections: 843-953-8040   blogs.cofc.edu/media collections
 

 

Addlestone Report:blogs.cofc.edu/addlestonereport
 

Reference Services:  blogs.cofc.edu/refblog
 

 

 

 

 

 

 


VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues 
relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, 
preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and 
related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective 
working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication 
between li

Re: [Videolib] Plea from a Media Collection Decimation Zone

[Anthony Anderson]

Ghastly! Ghastly! Ghastly! >:o  >:o  >:o  >:o

Here at USC we are strongly contemplating moving our 5000+ DVD collection
(including some very pricey documentaries) to open stacks. We think this is
the way to go, but it will only be done providing that the 
administration is willing

to provide the funds to provide each and every DVD with a locked case.

Hold your guns! (Although, of course, this is easier said than done.)

Best,
Anthony Anderson

***
Anthony E. Anderson
Social Studies and Arts & Humanities Librarian
Von KleinSmid Library
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0182
(213) 740-1190  antho...@usc.edu 


"Wind, regen, zon, of kou,
Albert Cuyp ik hou van jou."
*




Seay, Jared Alexander wrote:


Media Collections Colleagues,

 

I send this out at least in part as a plea for support - moral support 
at the very least.  Last week from out of the blue my library director 
announced that we were to move our media collection (about 4000 VHS 
videos and DVDs) from the media room (with closed stacks) downstairs 
to open stacks around the circulation desk.  Although some of the 
titles known to be heavily used by faculty for teaching are to be put 
"behind the desk" in a limited teaching collection,  most of the 
titles are to be placed in an "outer ring" of shelving around the 
circulation desk open to patrons and the public. 

 

Though we had been told that we would be investigating and planning 
for such a potential move sometime in the new year, this directive 
came without warning and certainly without any significant planning or 
forethought.   The titles are to be put on open shelving.  There are 
no locked cases involved and none of the titles are tattle-taped.   In 
the media room patrons had to check-out titles even if they wanted to 
view them in the media room.  We could track circulation statistics as 
well as maintain a high level of security.  As of the beginning of 
2012, no such control will be in place.  In short, the entire 
collection will be unsecure and exposed to whomever deans pull a title 
off the shelf - to view or otherwise.


I have expressed my deep concerns, but the answer I have gotten back 
is that we "will put things out on the shelves and monitor the 
shrinkage."  Not the most effective way to manage the collection I 
have noted. Seems akin to putting pamphlets on a display that says 
"take one."  Seems to me this gets to the basic issue of what a 
library media collection is for, and how should it be used and managed? 

 

For the record, my concerns have been echoed by other collages 
including several higher up my chain of command.  But, top level 
administration is un-swayed by such arguments, though I intend to 
continue to make them even as I am compelled to move the collection.  
I suspect there are backroom politics involving space issues ownership 
(of the media room) that I will not go into here.  My biggest concern, 
apart from the sheer suddenness of it all, is the future security and 
integrity of the collection.  To go from a closed room (with check-out 
viewing only) to completely open stacks with no security control 
virtually overnight is not a good thing in my opinion.  I fear that my 
circulating collection is about to be decimated and devalued at the 
very least. 

 

I suppose that in my shock at what I have been asked to do, I need 
some input from those on this list.  My big question to my media 
colleagues on this list is this:  Does anyone out there have their 
media collection on completely open stacks with no security?I'll 
take any input (advisory or consoling) I can get.


 


Thanks in advance and happy holidays.

 


jared

 

 

Jared Alexander Seay  


Reference Librarian

Head, Media Collections

Addlestone Library

College of Charleston

Charleston SC 29424

 



VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues 
relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, 
preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and 
related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective 
working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication 
between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and 
distributors.

Re: [Videolib] Plea from a Media Collection Decimation Zone

[Pat Mcgee]

We're moving to a browsing collection as well, however we are removing
all the DVDs from their cases and housing them in paper sleeves behind
the service counter.  I don't think the VHS are at risk.  I have to say
it has been a majorly tedious project to label with title and call
number all those >@#!!% paper sleeves.

Good luck to you.

Pat Mcgee

 

Coordinator of Media Services

Volpe Library and Media Center

Tennessee Technological University

Campus Box 5066

Cookeville, TN 38505

931-372-3544

 

 

 

From: videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu
[mailto:videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu] On Behalf Of Seay, Jared
Alexander
Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2011 10:19 AM
To: videolib@lists.berkeley.edu
Subject: [Videolib] Plea from a Media Collection Decimation Zone

 

Media Collections Colleagues,

 

I send this out at least in part as a plea for support - moral support
at the very least.  Last week from out of the blue my library director
announced that we were to move our media collection (about 4000 VHS
videos and DVDs) from the media room (with closed stacks) downstairs to
open stacks around the circulation desk.  Although some of the titles
known to be heavily used by faculty for teaching are to be put "behind
the desk" in a limited teaching collection,  most of the titles are to
be placed in an "outer ring" of shelving around the circulation desk
open to patrons and the public.  

 

Though we had been told that we would be investigating and planning for
such a potential move sometime in the new year, this directive came
without warning and certainly without any significant planning or
forethought.   The titles are to be put on open shelving.  There are no
locked cases involved and none of the titles are tattle-taped.   In the
media room patrons had to check-out titles even if they wanted to view
them in the media room.  We could track circulation statistics as well
as maintain a high level of security.  As of the beginning of 2012, no
such control will be in place.  In short, the entire collection will be
unsecure and exposed to whomever deans pull a title off the shelf - to
view or otherwise.

I have expressed my deep concerns, but the answer I have gotten back is
that we "will put things out on the shelves and monitor the shrinkage."
Not the most effective way to manage the collection I have noted. Seems
akin to putting pamphlets on a display that says "take one."  Seems to
me this gets to the basic issue of what a library media collection is
for, and how should it be used and managed?  

 

For the record, my concerns have been echoed by other collages including
several higher up my chain of command.  But, top level administration is
un-swayed by such arguments, though I intend to continue to make them
even as I am compelled to move the collection.  I suspect there are
backroom politics involving space issues ownership (of the media room)
that I will not go into here.  My biggest concern, apart from the sheer
suddenness of it all, is the future security and integrity of the
collection.  To go from a closed room (with check-out viewing only) to
completely open stacks with no security control virtually overnight is
not a good thing in my opinion.  I fear that my circulating collection
is about to be decimated and devalued at the very least.  

 

I suppose that in my shock at what I have been asked to do, I need some
input from those on this list.  My big question to my media colleagues
on this list is this:  Does anyone out there have their media collection
on completely open stacks with no security?I'll take any input
(advisory or consoling) I can get.

 

Thanks in advance and happy holidays.

 

jared

 

 

Jared Alexander Seay   

Reference Librarian 

Head, Media Collections 

Addlestone Library 

College of Charleston

Charleston SC 29424

 

Main Office:   843-953-1428   blogs.cofc.edu/seayj/

Media Collections: 843-953-8040   blogs.cofc.edu/media collections
<http://blogs.cofc.edu/mediacollections/> 

 

Addlestone Report:blogs.cofc.edu/addlestonereport
<http://blogs.cofc.edu/addlestonereport/> 

Reference Services:  blogs.cofc.edu/refblog
<http://blogs.cofc.edu/refblog/> 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues 
relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, 
preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and 
related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective 
working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication 
between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and 
distributors.

Re: [Videolib] Plea from a Media Collection Decimation Zone

[ghandman]

Condolences, Jared.

Aside from the potential hemorrhaging of collections, I think you got
bigger problems:  an administration that is obviously clueless about the
value and uses of media in an academic library (and about the radical
changes in user needs, wants, and expectations over the past 25 years or
so)...  A move of this sort really reveals an underlying assumption that,
when all is said and done, video is somehow supplementary or ancillary to
"real" library collections...a notion that has continued in academic
libraries pretty much unabated for the past 50 years.  They just don't get
it.

If your collection really is an important teaching resources, you need to
get the faculty on your side (after first bringing them up to speed about
the possible repercussions of the proposed move).

Gary Handman


> Media Collections Colleagues,
>
>
>
> I send this out at least in part as a plea for support - moral support
> at the very least.  Last week from out of the blue my library director
> announced that we were to move our media collection (about 4000 VHS
> videos and DVDs) from the media room (with closed stacks) downstairs to
> open stacks around the circulation desk.  Although some of the titles
> known to be heavily used by faculty for teaching are to be put "behind
> the desk" in a limited teaching collection,  most of the titles are to
> be placed in an "outer ring" of shelving around the circulation desk
> open to patrons and the public.
>
>
>
> Though we had been told that we would be investigating and planning for
> such a potential move sometime in the new year, this directive came
> without warning and certainly without any significant planning or
> forethought.   The titles are to be put on open shelving.  There are no
> locked cases involved and none of the titles are tattle-taped.   In the
> media room patrons had to check-out titles even if they wanted to view
> them in the media room.  We could track circulation statistics as well
> as maintain a high level of security.  As of the beginning of 2012, no
> such control will be in place.  In short, the entire collection will be
> unsecure and exposed to whomever deans pull a title off the shelf - to
> view or otherwise.
>
> I have expressed my deep concerns, but the answer I have gotten back is
> that we "will put things out on the shelves and monitor the shrinkage."
> Not the most effective way to manage the collection I have noted. Seems
> akin to putting pamphlets on a display that says "take one."  Seems to
> me this gets to the basic issue of what a library media collection is
> for, and how should it be used and managed?
>
>
>
> For the record, my concerns have been echoed by other collages including
> several higher up my chain of command.  But, top level administration is
> un-swayed by such arguments, though I intend to continue to make them
> even as I am compelled to move the collection.  I suspect there are
> backroom politics involving space issues ownership (of the media room)
> that I will not go into here.  My biggest concern, apart from the sheer
> suddenness of it all, is the future security and integrity of the
> collection.  To go from a closed room (with check-out viewing only) to
> completely open stacks with no security control virtually overnight is
> not a good thing in my opinion.  I fear that my circulating collection
> is about to be decimated and devalued at the very least.
>
>
>
> I suppose that in my shock at what I have been asked to do, I need some
> input from those on this list.  My big question to my media colleagues
> on this list is this:  Does anyone out there have their media collection
> on completely open stacks with no security?I'll take any input
> (advisory or consoling) I can get.
>
>
>
> Thanks in advance and happy holidays.
>
>
>
> jared
>
>
>
>
>
> Jared Alexander Seay
>
> Reference Librarian
>
> Head, Media Collections
>
> Addlestone Library
>
> College of Charleston
>
> Charleston SC 29424
>
>
>
> Main Office:   843-953-1428   blogs.cofc.edu/seayj/
> 
>
> Media Collections: 843-953-8040   blogs.cofc.edu/media collections
> 
>
>
>
> Addlestone Report:blogs.cofc.edu/addlestonereport
> 
>
> Reference Services:  blogs.cofc.edu/refblog
> 
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of
> issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic
> control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in
> libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve
> as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of
> communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video
> producers and distributors.
>


Gary Handman
Director
Media Resources Center
Moffitt Library
UC Berkeley

510-643-8566
ghand...@library.b

Re: [Videolib] Plea from a Media Collection Decimation Zone

[Jessica Rosner]

I am going to assume your library has some rare items and special
collections that are not circulated. I suggest you tell the administration
what a waste of money that is. Why not let that first edition of Tropic of
Cancer or the papers of some famed Civil War general just be out there for
anyone to see and take out. Why spend money keeping it separate and
restricted?

On Wed, Dec 21, 2011 at 11:18 AM, Seay, Jared Alexander wrote:

> Media Collections Colleagues,
>
> ** **
>
> I send this out at least in part as a plea for support – moral support at
> the very least.  Last week from out of the blue my library director
> announced that we were to move our media collection (about 4000 VHS videos
> and DVDs) from the media room (with closed stacks) downstairs to open
> stacks around the circulation desk.  Although some of the titles known to
> be heavily used by faculty for teaching are to be put “behind the desk” in
> a limited teaching collection,  most of the titles are to be placed in an
> “outer ring” of shelving around the circulation desk open to patrons and
> the public.  
>
> ** **
>
> Though we had been told that we would be investigating and planning for
> such a potential move sometime in the new year, this directive came without
> warning and certainly without any significant planning or forethought.
> The titles are to be put on open shelving.  There are no locked cases
> involved and none of the titles are tattle-taped.   In the media room
> patrons had to check-out titles even if they wanted to view them in the
> media room.  We could track circulation statistics as well as maintain a
> high level of security.  As of the beginning of 2012, no such control will
> be in place.  In short, the entire collection will be unsecure and exposed
> to whomever deans pull a title off the shelf - to view or otherwise.
>
> I have expressed my deep concerns, but the answer I have gotten back is
> that we “will put things out on the shelves and monitor the shrinkage.”
> Not the most effective way to manage the collection I have noted. Seems
> akin to putting pamphlets on a display that says “take one.”  Seems to me
> this gets to the basic issue of what a library media collection is for, and
> how should it be used and managed?  
>
> ** **
>
> For the record, my concerns have been echoed by other collages including
> several higher up my chain of command.  But, top level administration is
> un-swayed by such arguments, though I intend to continue to make them even
> as I am compelled to move the collection.  I suspect there are backroom
> politics involving space issues ownership (of the media room) that I will
> not go into here.  My biggest concern, apart from the sheer suddenness of
> it all, is the future security and integrity of the collection.  To go from
> a closed room (with check-out viewing only) to completely open stacks with
> no security control virtually overnight is not a good thing in my opinion.
> I fear that my circulating collection is about to be decimated and devalued
> at the very least.  
>
> ** **
>
> I suppose that in my shock at what I have been asked to do, I need some
> input from those on this list.  My big question to my media colleagues on
> this list is this:  Does anyone out there have their media collection on
> completely open stacks with no security?I’ll take any input (advisory
> or consoling) I can get.
>
> ** **
>
> Thanks in advance and happy holidays.
>
> ** **
>
> jared
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
>
> Jared Alexander Seay   
>
> Reference Librarian 
>
> Head, Media Collections 
>
> Addlestone Library 
>
> College of Charleston
>
> Charleston SC 29424
>
> ** **
>
> Main Office:   843-953-1428   blogs.cofc.edu/seayj/
>
> Media Collections: 843-953-8040   blogs.cofc.edu/media 
> collections
> 
>
> ** **
>
> Addlestone Report:blogs.cofc.edu/addlestonereport
>
> Reference Services:  blogs.cofc.edu/refblog
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
>
> VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of
> issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic
> control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in
> libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as
> an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of
> communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video
> producers and distributors.
>
>


-- 
Jessica Rosner
Media Consultant
224-545-3897 (cell)
212-627-1785 (land line)
jessicapros...@gmail.com
VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues 
relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, 
preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and 
related institutions. It is hoped that the list will se

Re: [Videolib] Plea from a Media Collection Decimation Zone

[Lock, Mary Beth]

We moved our DVD collection from closed stacks requiring retrieval to a
strategy where we put the cases on open stacks in alphabetical order by
title divided into 7 broad genres, but keep the DVD separated from the
cases behind the desk.  (The genres are Features, Childrens, Documentary,
Performing Arts, Instructional, Television Series, and Foreign.)  The
patrons can browse the collection, bring the cases to the desk, the disk is
retrieved, inserted into the case and checked out to the patron.

We did not put any markings on the clear cases we keep the disks in.  The
DVDs themselves have an accession number on a donut label on the disk,
(accession number is a hold over from our closed collection).  So since the
disks are in clear cases, we can see through to the label and we didn't
need to have a "one to one" match between clear cases and disks.  We
reordered the DVD cases in alphabetical order, but keep the disks in
accession number order.  It also helps us manage the space where we hold
the DVDs and allowed us to move through the process of getting the DVDs
from a closed collection to an open stacks collection much more quickly.

I can sympathize with the abrupt nature of the decision and would be
concerned at the decision to keep DVDs unprotected in the cases on the
shelf.  I agree that there is little worry over the VHS collection, but
those DVDs will disappear quickly.  The worst part of the acceptance of
"shrinkage" in my view isn't even the theft,  (because we all know that
happens), but that you won't know that a particular disk is missing until
someone else wants it...setting you up for failure because another patron
will already be disappointed.  Recognizing that sometimes that disappointed
patron will be a faculty member who needs it in class, might give you some
leverage.

Four thousand DVDs won't take up that much space.  Ask for the clear cases
to shelve them behind the desk.  Put the DVD cases, and only the cases, on
open stacks and let students browse.  We have had nothing but positive
feedback since making our collection browse-able.  The patrons are thrilled
and they are discovering so many titles they didn't know we had.  I am a
strong proponent of having the collection open, but protecting the
collection is equally important.   Feel free to contact me off list if you
want more strategy.

Good luck!
mb



On Wed, Dec 21, 2011 at 12:30 PM, Pat Mcgee  wrote:

>  We’re moving to a browsing collection as well, however we are removing
> all the DVDs from their cases and housing them in paper sleeves behind the
> service counter.  I don’t think the VHS are at risk.  I have to say it has
> been a majorly tedious project to label with title and call number all
> those >@#!!% paper sleeves.
>
> Good luck to you.
>
> Pat Mcgee
>
> ** **
>
> Coordinator of Media Services
>
> Volpe Library and Media Center
>
> Tennessee Technological University
>
> Campus Box 5066
>
> Cookeville, TN 38505
>
> 931-372-3544
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
>
> *From:* videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu [mailto:
> videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu] *On Behalf Of *Seay, Jared Alexander
> *Sent:* Wednesday, December 21, 2011 10:19 AM
> *To:* videolib@lists.berkeley.edu
> *Subject:* [Videolib] Plea from a Media Collection Decimation Zone
>
> ** **
>
> Media Collections Colleagues,
>
> ** **
>
> I send this out at least in part as a plea for support – moral support at
> the very least.  Last week from out of the blue my library director
> announced that we were to move our media collection (about 4000 VHS videos
> and DVDs) from the media room (with closed stacks) downstairs to open
> stacks around the circulation desk.  Although some of the titles known to
> be heavily used by faculty for teaching are to be put “behind the desk” in
> a limited teaching collection,  most of the titles are to be placed in an
> “outer ring” of shelving around the circulation desk open to patrons and
> the public.  
>
> ** **
>
> Though we had been told that we would be investigating and planning for
> such a potential move sometime in the new year, this directive came without
> warning and certainly without any significant planning or forethought.
> The titles are to be put on open shelving.  There are no locked cases
> involved and none of the titles are tattle-taped.   In the media room
> patrons had to check-out titles even if they wanted to view them in the
> media room.  We could track circulation statistics as well as maintain a
> high level of security.  As of the beginning of 2012, no such control will
> be in place.  In short, the entire collection will be unsecure and exposed
> to whomever deans pull a title off the shelf - to view or otherwis

Re: [Videolib] Plea from a Media Collection Decimation Zone

[Julie Bradford]

Jared--
That sounds like a tragedy waiting to happen! Yikes!  I tried to find an
article or two detailing great loss from other libraries who went the same
route. Either it always works out for these libraries, or they are too
embarrassed to write about their losses.  I did find an article that was
written by a librarian (in 2006) at a community college in Washington who
was happy with the library's decision to go to open stacks; the article was
written less than one year from the time they implemented the change,
however. Perhaps you could contact that library now and see how things are
working out for them 5 years later?

GOOD LUCK!  Hope your ADMIN has a change of heart!

King, Lynne. "How We Changed And Lived To Tell About It." Alki 22.1 (2006):
23-24. Library Literature & Information

Julie 




VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues 
relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, 
preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and 
related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective 
working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication 
between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and 
distributors.

Re: [Videolib] Plea from a Media Collection Decimation Zone

[Mandel, Debra]

P.S. 

I did a spot check of my cinema studies section later today and did find one 
empty case. : - (   We have a replacement budget, which helps.

Good luck!

From: videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu [videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu] 
On Behalf Of Julie Bradford [jbradf...@lcplin.org]
Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2011 5:54 PM
To: videolib@lists.berkeley.edu
Subject: Re: [Videolib] Plea from a Media Collection Decimation Zone

Jared--
That sounds like a tragedy waiting to happen! Yikes!  I tried to find an
article or two detailing great loss from other libraries who went the same
route. Either it always works out for these libraries, or they are too
embarrassed to write about their losses.  I did find an article that was
written by a librarian (in 2006) at a community college in Washington who
was happy with the library's decision to go to open stacks; the article was
written less than one year from the time they implemented the change,
however. Perhaps you could contact that library now and see how things are
working out for them 5 years later?

GOOD LUCK!  Hope your ADMIN has a change of heart!

King, Lynne. "How We Changed And Lived To Tell About It." Alki 22.1 (2006):
23-24. Library Literature & Information

Julie




VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues 
relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, 
preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and 
related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective 
working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication 
between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and 
distributors.

VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues 
relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, 
preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and 
related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective 
working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication 
between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and 
distributors.

Re: [Videolib] Plea from a Media Collection Decimation Zone

[elizabeth mcmahon]

Hi Jared,
 
I worked at Donnell Media Center, The New York Public Library, for 15 years. 
Our open vhs/dvd access collection went from being closed shelf to open shelf, 
sometime in the 90's, and our fears were never realized to the extent that we 
had feared. 3 big differences, however, between what we did at a public library 
and yours, an academic library that appears to be open to the public as 
well. The vhs/discs were on shelf, organized into broad categories that 
certainly aided both patrons' serendipitous finds and pages shelving (and 
clerks and librarians, we all did it together) but 1.) they were in kwikcase 
cases http://www.gresscoltd.com/kwikcase/demo/, and 2.) they were barcoded and 
3.) they had a what we called targets (big and square shaped; I could find out 
for you if interested). Very similar to tattle tape. 
 
It was a bold move, but 10 years ago, we took the vhs out of their kwikcases, 
and had them sitting naked on the shelves. Our concerns of theft were not 
realized. Yes, a couple went missing, but nothing to set our hair ablaze. Now 
mind you, these were all titles in print. We were ever mindful of OP and rare 
titles. Also, vhs had already fallen out of favor as a medium. That helped as 
well.
 
We had a PPR reserve collection of vhs and dvds (they may still, though I know 
it was heavily and painfully weeded, another story altogether)  that went 
woefully unused, due to its inaccessibility and the hoops through which we made 
patrons jump (primarily needing to make arrangements to borrow it in advance; 
we went from 7 days to 3, but it was still 3 too many). You cannot say enough 
about the browsing effect and instant accessibility. It benefits both the 
patron and the collection (and by extension, the director of that/those 
collections). I think keeping it (closed access collections) inaccessible hurt 
circulation stats and ate up a lot of real estate. Now, frankly, I think 
putting certain titles on the open shelves BUT thrown (maybe not even all) in 
lucite cases might be advisable, but for the most part, if the items can 
theoretically be replaced (the real definition of a library v. archive), then 
it should be done. But safeguards do need to
 be taken, and are only prudent. Otherwise, you will look irresponsible, and it 
will be you, not the administration, who will be blamed ultimately. 
 
So, to sum up. A case for every dvd, and only for certain vhs. (Or just keep 
those behind the desk, or for on-site consultation only. That's reasonable, 
too, as we all know. OPs should always be protected, and those not available on 
dvd.)

Elizabeth McMahon
Formerly of Donnell Media Center
The New York Public Library


>
> From: "Seay, Jared Alexander" 
>To: videolib@lists.berkeley.edu 
>Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2011 11:18 AM
>Subject: [Videolib] Plea from a Media Collection Decimation Zone
> 
>
>Media Collections Colleagues,
> 
>I send this out at least in part as a plea for support – moral support at the 
>very least.  Last week from out of the blue my library director announced that 
>we were to move our media collection (about 4000 VHS videos and DVDs) from the 
>media room (with closed stacks) downstairs to open stacks around the 
>circulation desk.  Although some of the titles known to be heavily used by 
>faculty for teaching are to be put “behind the desk” in a limited teaching 
>collection,  most of the titles are to be placed in an “outer ring” of 
>shelving around the circulation desk open to patrons and the public.  
> 
>Though we had been told that we would be investigating and planning for such a 
>potential move sometime in the new year, this directive came without warning 
>and certainly without any significant planning or forethought.   The titles 
>are to be put on open shelving.  There are no locked cases involved and none 
>of the titles are tattle-taped.   In the media room patrons had to check-out 
>titles even if they wanted to view them in the media room.  We could track 
>circulation statistics as well as maintain a high level of security.  As of 
>the beginning of 2012, no such control will be in place.  In short, the entire 
>collection will be unsecure and exposed to whomever deans pull a title off the 
>shelf - to view or otherwise.
>I have expressed my deep concerns, but the answer I have gotten back is that 
>we “will put things out on the shelves and monitor the shrinkage.”  Not the 
>most effective way to manage the collection I have noted. Seems akin to 
>putting pamphlets on a display that says “take one.”  Seems to me this gets to 
>the basic issue of what a library media collection is for, and how should it 
>be used and managed?  
> 
>For the record, my concerns have been echoed by other collages including 
>several higher up my chain of command.  But, top level admin

Re: [Videolib] Plea from a Media Collection Decimation Zone

[ghandman]

I'd actually be MORE concerned for VHS collections than DVD...  Our
studies here at UCB indicate that as much as 40% of our vhs collection
(around 25K titles) is no longer available for replacement in ANY format.

gary handman




> We moved our DVD collection from closed stacks requiring retrieval to a
> strategy where we put the cases on open stacks in alphabetical order by
> title divided into 7 broad genres, but keep the DVD separated from the
> cases behind the desk.  (The genres are Features, Childrens, Documentary,
> Performing Arts, Instructional, Television Series, and Foreign.)  The
> patrons can browse the collection, bring the cases to the desk, the disk
> is
> retrieved, inserted into the case and checked out to the patron.
>
> We did not put any markings on the clear cases we keep the disks in.  The
> DVDs themselves have an accession number on a donut label on the disk,
> (accession number is a hold over from our closed collection).  So since
> the
> disks are in clear cases, we can see through to the label and we didn't
> need to have a "one to one" match between clear cases and disks.  We
> reordered the DVD cases in alphabetical order, but keep the disks in
> accession number order.  It also helps us manage the space where we hold
> the DVDs and allowed us to move through the process of getting the DVDs
> from a closed collection to an open stacks collection much more quickly.
>
> I can sympathize with the abrupt nature of the decision and would be
> concerned at the decision to keep DVDs unprotected in the cases on the
> shelf.  I agree that there is little worry over the VHS collection, but
> those DVDs will disappear quickly.  The worst part of the acceptance of
> "shrinkage" in my view isn't even the theft,  (because we all know that
> happens), but that you won't know that a particular disk is missing until
> someone else wants it...setting you up for failure because another patron
> will already be disappointed.  Recognizing that sometimes that
> disappointed
> patron will be a faculty member who needs it in class, might give you some
> leverage.
>
> Four thousand DVDs won't take up that much space.  Ask for the clear cases
> to shelve them behind the desk.  Put the DVD cases, and only the cases, on
> open stacks and let students browse.  We have had nothing but positive
> feedback since making our collection browse-able.  The patrons are
> thrilled
> and they are discovering so many titles they didn't know we had.  I am a
> strong proponent of having the collection open, but protecting the
> collection is equally important.   Feel free to contact me off list if you
> want more strategy.
>
> Good luck!
> mb
>
>
>
> On Wed, Dec 21, 2011 at 12:30 PM, Pat Mcgee  wrote:
>
>>  We’re moving to a browsing collection as well, however we are removing
>> all the DVDs from their cases and housing them in paper sleeves behind
>> the
>> service counter.  I don’t think the VHS are at risk.  I have to say it
>> has
>> been a majorly tedious project to label with title and call number all
>> those >@#!!% paper sleeves.
>>
>> Good luck to you.
>>
>> Pat Mcgee
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> Coordinator of Media Services
>>
>> Volpe Library and Media Center
>>
>> Tennessee Technological University
>>
>> Campus Box 5066
>>
>> Cookeville, TN 38505
>>
>> 931-372-3544
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> *From:* videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu [mailto:
>> videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu] *On Behalf Of *Seay, Jared
>> Alexander
>> *Sent:* Wednesday, December 21, 2011 10:19 AM
>> *To:* videolib@lists.berkeley.edu
>> *Subject:* [Videolib] Plea from a Media Collection Decimation Zone
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> Media Collections Colleagues,
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> I send this out at least in part as a plea for support – moral support
>> at
>> the very least.  Last week from out of the blue my library director
>> announced that we were to move our media collection (about 4000 VHS
>> videos
>> and DVDs) from the media room (with closed stacks) downstairs to open
>> stacks around the circulation desk.  Although some of the titles known
>> to
>> be heavily used by faculty for teaching are to be put “behind the desk”
>> in
>> a limited teaching collection,  most of the titles are to be placed in
>> an
>> “outer ring” of shelving around the circulation desk open to patrons and
>> the public.  
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> Th

Re: [Videolib] Plea from a Media Collection Decimation Zone

[John Streepy]

I'm curious Gary,  out of that 40% that is no longer available, how many
are only found at UC-B? That to me is the real part to be concerned
about.  On another point, shouldn't you be napping.   
Merry Wookiee Life Day 
regards, jhs

>>>  12/21/2011 4:29 PM >>>
I'd actually be MORE concerned for VHS collections than DVD...  Our
studies here at UCB indicate that as much as 40% of our vhs collection
(around 25K titles) is no longer available for replacement in ANY
format.

gary handman




> We moved our DVD collection from closed stacks requiring retrieval to
a
> strategy where we put the cases on open stacks in alphabetical order
by
> title divided into 7 broad genres, but keep the DVD separated from the
> cases behind the desk.  (The genres are Features, Childrens,
Documentary,
> Performing Arts, Instructional, Television Series, and Foreign.)  The
> patrons can browse the collection, bring the cases to the desk, the
disk
> is
> retrieved, inserted into the case and checked out to the patron.
>
> We did not put any markings on the clear cases we keep the disks in. 
The
> DVDs themselves have an accession number on a donut label on the disk,
> (accession number is a hold over from our closed collection).  So
since
> the
> disks are in clear cases, we can see through to the label and we
didn't
> need to have a "one to one" match between clear cases and disks.  We
> reordered the DVD cases in alphabetical order, but keep the disks in
> accession number order.  It also helps us manage the space where we
hold
> the DVDs and allowed us to move through the process of getting the
DVDs
> from a closed collection to an open stacks collection much more
quickly.
>
> I can sympathize with the abrupt nature of the decision and would be
> concerned at the decision to keep DVDs unprotected in the cases on the
> shelf.  I agree that there is little worry over the VHS collection,
but
> those DVDs will disappear quickly.  The worst part of the acceptance
of
> "shrinkage" in my view isn't even the theft,  (because we all know
that
> happens), but that you won't know that a particular disk is missing
until
> someone else wants it...setting you up for failure because another
patron
> will already be disappointed.  Recognizing that sometimes that
> disappointed
> patron will be a faculty member who needs it in class, might give you
some
> leverage.
>
> Four thousand DVDs won't take up that much space.  Ask for the clear
cases
> to shelve them behind the desk.  Put the DVD cases, and only the
cases, on
> open stacks and let students browse.  We have had nothing but positive
> feedback since making our collection browse-able.  The patrons are
> thrilled
> and they are discovering so many titles they didn't know we had.  I am
a
> strong proponent of having the collection open, but protecting the
> collection is equally important.   Feel free to contact me off list if
you
> want more strategy.
>
> Good luck!
> mb
>
>
>
> On Wed, Dec 21, 2011 at 12:30 PM, Pat Mcgee  wrote:
>
>>  We’re moving to a browsing collection as well, however we are
removing
>> all the DVDs from their cases and housing them in paper sleeves
behind
>> the
>> service counter.  I don’t think the VHS are at risk.  I have to say
it
>> has
>> been a majorly tedious project to label with title and call number
all
>> those >@#!!% paper sleeves.
>>
>> Good luck to you.
>>
>> Pat Mcgee
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> Coordinator of Media Services
>>
>> Volpe Library and Media Center
>>
>> Tennessee Technological University
>>
>> Campus Box 5066****
>>
>> Cookeville, TN 38505
>>
>> 931-372-3544
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> *From:* videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu [mailto:
>> videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu] *On Behalf Of *Seay, Jared
>> Alexander
>> *Sent:* Wednesday, December 21, 2011 10:19 AM
>> *To:* videolib@lists.berkeley.edu
>> *Subject:* [Videolib] Plea from a Media Collection Decimation
Zone
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> Media Collections Colleagues,
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> I send this out at least in part as a plea for support * moral
support
>> at
>> the very least.  Last week from out of the blue my library director
>> announced that we were to move our media collection (about 4000 VHS
>> videos
>> and DVDs) from the media room (with closed stacks) downstairs to open
>> stacks around the circulation desk.  Although some of the titles
known
>> to
>> be heavily used by faculty for teachi

Re: [Videolib] Plea from a Media Collection Decimation Zone

[ghandman]

Not exactly sure...  Of the commercially distributed stuff (as opposed to
the locally produced stuff) probably not many are held exclusively by
Berkeley, although it is possible that a fair number are held by fewer
than 10 libraries in the US

g.

Gonna have to learn how to nap more effectively, I think...



> I'm curious Gary,  out of that 40% that is no longer available, how many
> are only found at UC-B? That to me is the real part to be concerned
> about.  On another point, shouldn't you be napping.
> Merry Wookiee Life Day
> regards, jhs
>
>>>>  12/21/2011 4:29 PM >>>
> I'd actually be MORE concerned for VHS collections than DVD...  Our
> studies here at UCB indicate that as much as 40% of our vhs collection
> (around 25K titles) is no longer available for replacement in ANY
> format.
>
> gary handman
>
>
>
>
>> We moved our DVD collection from closed stacks requiring retrieval to
> a
>> strategy where we put the cases on open stacks in alphabetical order
> by
>> title divided into 7 broad genres, but keep the DVD separated from the
>> cases behind the desk.  (The genres are Features, Childrens,
> Documentary,
>> Performing Arts, Instructional, Television Series, and Foreign.)  The
>> patrons can browse the collection, bring the cases to the desk, the
> disk
>> is
>> retrieved, inserted into the case and checked out to the patron.
>>
>> We did not put any markings on the clear cases we keep the disks in.
> The
>> DVDs themselves have an accession number on a donut label on the disk,
>> (accession number is a hold over from our closed collection).  So
> since
>> the
>> disks are in clear cases, we can see through to the label and we
> didn't
>> need to have a "one to one" match between clear cases and disks.  We
>> reordered the DVD cases in alphabetical order, but keep the disks in
>> accession number order.  It also helps us manage the space where we
> hold
>> the DVDs and allowed us to move through the process of getting the
> DVDs
>> from a closed collection to an open stacks collection much more
> quickly.
>>
>> I can sympathize with the abrupt nature of the decision and would be
>> concerned at the decision to keep DVDs unprotected in the cases on the
>> shelf.  I agree that there is little worry over the VHS collection,
> but
>> those DVDs will disappear quickly.  The worst part of the acceptance
> of
>> "shrinkage" in my view isn't even the theft,  (because we all know
> that
>> happens), but that you won't know that a particular disk is missing
> until
>> someone else wants it...setting you up for failure because another
> patron
>> will already be disappointed.  Recognizing that sometimes that
>> disappointed
>> patron will be a faculty member who needs it in class, might give you
> some
>> leverage.
>>
>> Four thousand DVDs won't take up that much space.  Ask for the clear
> cases
>> to shelve them behind the desk.  Put the DVD cases, and only the
> cases, on
>> open stacks and let students browse.  We have had nothing but positive
>> feedback since making our collection browse-able.  The patrons are
>> thrilled
>> and they are discovering so many titles they didn't know we had.  I am
> a
>> strong proponent of having the collection open, but protecting the
>> collection is equally important.   Feel free to contact me off list if
> you
>> want more strategy.
>>
>> Good luck!
>> mb
>>
>>
>>
>> On Wed, Dec 21, 2011 at 12:30 PM, Pat Mcgee  wrote:
>>
>>>  We’re moving to a browsing collection as well, however we are
> removing
>>> all the DVDs from their cases and housing them in paper sleeves
> behind
>>> the
>>> service counter.  I don’t think the VHS are at risk.  I have to say
> it
>>> has
>>> been a majorly tedious project to label with title and call number
> all
>>> those >@#!!% paper sleeves.
>>>
>>> Good luck to you.
>>>
>>> Pat Mcgee
>>>
>>> ** **
>>>
>>> Coordinator of Media Services
>>>
>>> Volpe Library and Media Center
>>>
>>> Tennessee Technological University
>>>
>>> Campus Box 5066
>>>
>>> Cookeville, TN 38505
>>>
>>> 931-372-3544
>>>
>>> ** **
>>>
>>> ** **
>>>
>>> ** **
>>>
>>> *From:* videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu [mailto:
>>> videolib-boun...@

Re: [Videolib] Plea from a Media Collection Decimation Zone

[Tatar, Becky]

In a related move, we are having to go from double shelving - empty cases on 
the shelf, discs in file cabinets at the circ desk - due to a lack of space, 
and the time it takes to retrieve discs.  Different, I know, than a academic 
collection, but I'm still worried about loss.  Right now, all our cds except 
Pop/Rock are in the cases.  The plan is for the DVDs to be in the cases by the 
middle of next month, except for the new titles that are on extensive reserve 
lists, and will take about 3 months or so to come off them.  I'm sure there is 
going to be loss.  And our budget for AV got cut this year.  Sigh

Becky Tatar
Periodicals/Audiovisuals
Aurora Public Library
1 E. Benton Street
Aurora, IL   60505
Phone: 630-264-4100
FAX: 630-896-3209
blt...@aurora.lib.il.us
www.aurorapubliclibrary.org


I send this out at least in part as a plea for support - moral support at the 
very least.  Last week from out of the blue my library director announced that 
we were to move our media collection (about 4000 VHS videos and DVDs) from the 
media room (with closed stacks) downstairs to open stacks around the 
circulation desk.  Although some of the titles known to be heavily used by 
faculty for teaching are to be put "behind the desk" in a limited teaching 
collection,  most of the titles are to be placed in an "outer ring" of shelving 
around the circulation desk open to patrons and the public.

Though we had been told that we would be investigating and planning for such a 
potential move sometime in the new year, this directive came without warning 
and certainly without any significant planning or forethought.   The titles are 
to be put on open shelving.  There are no locked cases involved and none of the 
titles are tattle-taped.   In the media room patrons had to check-out titles 
even if they wanted to view them in the media room.  We could track circulation 
statistics as well as maintain a high level of security.  As of the beginning 
of 2012, no such control will be in place.  In short, the entire collection 
will be unsecure and exposed to whomever deans pull a title off the shelf - to 
view or otherwise.
I have expressed my deep concerns, but the answer I have gotten back is that we 
"will put things out on the shelves and monitor the shrinkage."  Not the most 
effective way to manage the collection I have noted. Seems akin to putting 
pamphlets on a display that says "take one."  Seems to me this gets to the 
basic issue of what a library media collection is for, and how should it be 
used and managed?

For the record, my concerns have been echoed by other collages including 
several higher up my chain of command.  But, top level administration is 
un-swayed by such arguments, though I intend to continue to make them even as I 
am compelled to move the collection.  I suspect there are backroom politics 
involving space issues ownership (of the media room) that I will not go into 
here.  My biggest concern, apart from the sheer suddenness of it all, is the 
future security and integrity of the collection.  To go from a closed room 
(with check-out viewing only) to completely open stacks with no security 
control virtually overnight is not a good thing in my opinion.  I fear that my 
circulating collection is about to be decimated and devalued at the very least.

I suppose that in my shock at what I have been asked to do, I need some input 
from those on this list.  My big question to my media colleagues on this list 
is this:  Does anyone out there have their media collection on completely open 
stacks with no security?I'll take any input (advisory or consoling) I can 
get.

Thanks in advance and happy holidays.

jared


Jared Alexander Seay
Reference Librarian
Head, Media Collections
Addlestone Library
College of Charleston
Charleston SC 29424

Main Office:   843-953-1428   
blogs.cofc.edu/seayj/
Media Collections: 843-953-8040   blogs.cofc.edu/media 
collections

Addlestone Report:
blogs.cofc.edu/addlestonereport
Reference Services:  blogs.cofc.edu/refblog






VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues 
relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, 
preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and 
related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective 
working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication 
between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and 
distributors.

Re: [Videolib] Plea from a Media Collection Decimation Zone

[Seay, Jared Alexander]

Becky, are you  doing anything about security or is everything just
exposed on open shelves?

 

Jared Alexander Seay   

Reference Librarian 

Head, Media Collections 

Addlestone Library 

College of Charleston

Charleston SC 29424

 

Main Office:   843-953-1428   blogs.cofc.edu/seayj/
<http://blogs.cofc.edu/seayj/> 

Media Collections: 843-953-8040   blogs.cofc.edu/media collections
<http://blogs.cofc.edu/mediacollections/> 

 

Addlestone Report:blogs.cofc.edu/addlestonereport
<http://blogs.cofc.edu/addlestonereport/> 

Reference Services:  blogs.cofc.edu/refblog
<http://blogs.cofc.edu/refblog/> 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From: videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu
[mailto:videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu] On Behalf Of Tatar, Becky
Sent: Thursday, December 22, 2011 1:19 PM
To: 'videolib@lists.berkeley.edu'
Subject: Re: [Videolib] Plea from a Media Collection Decimation Zone

 

In a related move, we are having to go from double shelving - empty
cases on the shelf, discs in file cabinets at the circ desk - due to a
lack of space, and the time it takes to retrieve discs.  Different, I
know, than a academic collection, but I'm still worried about loss.
Right now, all our cds except Pop/Rock are in the cases.  The plan is
for the DVDs to be in the cases by the middle of next month, except for
the new titles that are on extensive reserve lists, and will take about
3 months or so to come off them.  I'm sure there is going to be loss.
And our budget for AV got cut this year.  Sigh

 

Becky Tatar

Periodicals/Audiovisuals

Aurora Public Library

1 E. Benton Street

Aurora, IL   60505

Phone: 630-264-4100

FAX: 630-896-3209

blt...@aurora.lib.il.us

www.aurorapubliclibrary.org

 

 

I send this out at least in part as a plea for support - moral support
at the very least.  Last week from out of the blue my library director
announced that we were to move our media collection (about 4000 VHS
videos and DVDs) from the media room (with closed stacks) downstairs to
open stacks around the circulation desk.  Although some of the titles
known to be heavily used by faculty for teaching are to be put "behind
the desk" in a limited teaching collection,  most of the titles are to
be placed in an "outer ring" of shelving around the circulation desk
open to patrons and the public.  

 

Though we had been told that we would be investigating and planning for
such a potential move sometime in the new year, this directive came
without warning and certainly without any significant planning or
forethought.   The titles are to be put on open shelving.  There are no
locked cases involved and none of the titles are tattle-taped.   In the
media room patrons had to check-out titles even if they wanted to view
them in the media room.  We could track circulation statistics as well
as maintain a high level of security.  As of the beginning of 2012, no
such control will be in place.  In short, the entire collection will be
unsecure and exposed to whomever deans pull a title off the shelf - to
view or otherwise.

I have expressed my deep concerns, but the answer I have gotten back is
that we "will put things out on the shelves and monitor the shrinkage."
Not the most effective way to manage the collection I have noted. Seems
akin to putting pamphlets on a display that says "take one."  Seems to
me this gets to the basic issue of what a library media collection is
for, and how should it be used and managed?  

 

For the record, my concerns have been echoed by other collages including
several higher up my chain of command.  But, top level administration is
un-swayed by such arguments, though I intend to continue to make them
even as I am compelled to move the collection.  I suspect there are
backroom politics involving space issues ownership (of the media room)
that I will not go into here.  My biggest concern, apart from the sheer
suddenness of it all, is the future security and integrity of the
collection.  To go from a closed room (with check-out viewing only) to
completely open stacks with no security control virtually overnight is
not a good thing in my opinion.  I fear that my circulating collection
is about to be decimated and devalued at the very least.  

 

I suppose that in my shock at what I have been asked to do, I need some
input from those on this list.  My big question to my media colleagues
on this list is this:  Does anyone out there have their media collection
on completely open stacks with no security?I'll take any input
(advisory or consoling) I can get.

 

Thanks in advance and happy holidays.

 

jared

 

 

Jared Alexander Seay   

Reference Librarian 

Head, Media Collections 

Addlestone Library 

College of Charleston

Charleston SC 29424

 

Main Office:   843-953-1428   blogs.cofc.edu/seayj/

Media Collections: 843-953-8040   b

Re: [Videolib] Plea from a Media Collection Decimation Zone

[Tatar, Becky]

Right now, all our cds except for Popular are in their cases.  Popular includes 
all pop/rock, old standards, easy listening, rap, and for some reason, new age. 
 So far, I have about 12 cds of country and sacred titles that have been turned 
into me with their discs missing.  We will be starting to put our discs out in 
the cases for nonfiction DVDs in a couple weeks.  Our popular cds, and our dvds 
at this point are double shelved. Empty cases on the shelf, discs in disc 
pockets in file cabinets.  This is a very labor intensive, time consuming way 
to check out av.  I just hope that we don't lose a lot with the discs in the 
cases.

Becky Tatar
Periodicals/Audiovisuals
Aurora Public Library
1 E. Benton Street
Aurora, IL   60505
Phone: 630-264-4100
FAX: 630-896-3209
blt...@aurora.lib.il.us
www.aurorapubliclibrary.org

From: videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu 
[mailto:videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu] On Behalf Of Seay, Jared Alexander
Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2012 2:16 PM
To: videolib@lists.berkeley.edu
Subject: Re: [Videolib] Plea from a Media Collection Decimation Zone

Becky, are you  doing anything about security or is everything just exposed on 
open shelves?

Jared Alexander Seay
Reference Librarian
Head, Media Collections
Addlestone Library
College of Charleston
Charleston SC 29424

Main Office:   843-953-1428   
blogs.cofc.edu/seayj/<http://blogs.cofc.edu/seayj/>
Media Collections: 843-953-8040   blogs.cofc.edu/media 
collections<http://blogs.cofc.edu/mediacollections/>

Addlestone Report:
blogs.cofc.edu/addlestonereport<http://blogs.cofc.edu/addlestonereport/>
Reference Services:  blogs.cofc.edu/refblog<http://blogs.cofc.edu/refblog/>






From: 
videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu<mailto:videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu> 
[mailto:videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu]<mailto:[mailto:videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu]>
 On Behalf Of Tatar, Becky
Sent: Thursday, December 22, 2011 1:19 PM
To: 'videolib@lists.berkeley.edu'
Subject: Re: [Videolib] Plea from a Media Collection Decimation Zone

In a related move, we are having to go from double shelving - empty cases on 
the shelf, discs in file cabinets at the circ desk - due to a lack of space, 
and the time it takes to retrieve discs.  Different, I know, than a academic 
collection, but I'm still worried about loss.  Right now, all our cds except 
Pop/Rock are in the cases.  The plan is for the DVDs to be in the cases by the 
middle of next month, except for the new titles that are on extensive reserve 
lists, and will take about 3 months or so to come off them.  I'm sure there is 
going to be loss.  And our budget for AV got cut this year.  Sigh

Becky Tatar
Periodicals/Audiovisuals
Aurora Public Library
1 E. Benton Street
Aurora, IL   60505
Phone: 630-264-4100
FAX: 630-896-3209
blt...@aurora.lib.il.us<mailto:blt...@aurora.lib.il.us>
www.aurorapubliclibrary.org<http://www.aurorapubliclibrary.org>


I send this out at least in part as a plea for support - moral support at the 
very least.  Last week from out of the blue my library director announced that 
we were to move our media collection (about 4000 VHS videos and DVDs) from the 
media room (with closed stacks) downstairs to open stacks around the 
circulation desk.  Although some of the titles known to be heavily used by 
faculty for teaching are to be put "behind the desk" in a limited teaching 
collection,  most of the titles are to be placed in an "outer ring" of shelving 
around the circulation desk open to patrons and the public.

Though we had been told that we would be investigating and planning for such a 
potential move sometime in the new year, this directive came without warning 
and certainly without any significant planning or forethought.   The titles are 
to be put on open shelving.  There are no locked cases involved and none of the 
titles are tattle-taped.   In the media room patrons had to check-out titles 
even if they wanted to view them in the media room.  We could track circulation 
statistics as well as maintain a high level of security.  As of the beginning 
of 2012, no such control will be in place.  In short, the entire collection 
will be unsecure and exposed to whomever deans pull a title off the shelf - to 
view or otherwise.
I have expressed my deep concerns, but the answer I have gotten back is that we 
"will put things out on the shelves and monitor the shrinkage."  Not the most 
effective way to manage the collection I have noted. Seems akin to putting 
pamphlets on a display that says "take one."  Seems to me this gets to the 
basic issue of what a library media collection is for, and how should it be 
used and managed?

For the record, my concerns have been echoed by other collages including 
several higher up my chain of command.  But, top level administration is 
un-swayed by such arguments, though I inten

Re: [Videolib] Plea from a Media Collection Decimation Zone

[Bergman, Barbara J]

Jared -
Sorry to hear that your admin is dictating this move without giving you time to 
plan.
Take a deep breath.
Open stacks are not the enemy, and can be a great thing for visibility & usage 
of the collection.
Sounds like they're still going to be within sight of the library staff? That's 
good.
But you do need some form of security. As others have mentioned, you can go 
with locked & tattletaped cases for the DVDs or a split where you have open 
browsing but keep discs in sleeves behind the counter.
Don't worry too much about the VHS tapes. If they're titles still being used, 
they're going to be on reserve and/or booked right? Focus on tattletaping those 
tapes rather than the VHS collection as a whole.
Ask for money for cases and for "shrinkage" money.  Remind them that the 
average cost of all those educational films is about $250 each. (In reality, 
theft tends to be the cheap popular films, which is irritating but not as 
expensive.)
Oh, let them know that your patrons aren't really liking browsing by accession 
numbers, so you'd like to talk to cataloging about having them classed by call 
numbers.

On year 8 of successful implementation of open video stacks & of using 
increased circulation stats to justify increased budget,
~Barb

Barb Bergman | Media Services & Interlibrary Loan Librarian | Minnesota State 
University, Mankato | (507) 389-5945 | barbara.berg...@mnsu.edu
VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues 
relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, 
preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and 
related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective 
working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication 
between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and 
distributors.