Library collection deterioration: a study at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Authors

Tina E. Chrzastowski, Santa Clara UniversityFollow
David Cobb
Nancy Davis
Jean Geil
Betsy Kruger

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1989

Publisher

American Library Association

Abstract

A survey of bound items in the bookstacks of the University of Illinois library at Urbana-Champaign was conducted following the methodology used in the 1979 survey of the Green Library stacks at Stanford University. A reliable random sampling technique was used. The survey found that 37.0% of the items at Illinois are seriously deteriorated (paper is embrittled), 33.6% are moderately deteriorated (paper is becoming brittle), and 29.4% are in good condition (paper shows no signs of deterioration). The total cost of the survey was $1,845.45 (excluding permanent staff salaries). The methodology can be adapted by other libraries for collection condition surveys.

Comments

© Copyright 1989, American Library Association. doi:10.5860/crl_50_05_577

Recommended Citation

Chrzastowski, Tina E., David Cobb, Nancy Davis, Jean Geil, and Betsy Kruger, 1989. “Library collection deterioration: a study at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.” College and Research Libraries 50 (5), p. 577-584.