Library Maintenance IGNOU CLIS

Unit 8: Library Maintenance: This Unit provides an introduction to the role
maintenance function plays in libraries to keep their systems, resources and facilities in
good condition. The basic function of maintenance is: a) to give a system of arrangement
to resources and b) to maintain the pre-defined shelf arrangement in perfect order
through well organised processes of shelving, shelf rectification and shelf refurbishing.
This Unit provides a detailed discussion on library cleaning, shelf arrangement, shelf
sequences, shelf rectification and library materials preservation and on all other
maintenance functions and activities that are essential for keeping its building, resources
and facilities in good shape, fit enough for discharging library functions and services
efficiently. The discussion is confined to both the corrective and preventive dimensions
of maintenance of library resources.
WEEDING
According to Stanley J. Slote weeding is “removing the non-core collection from the
primary collection area”. Once a material has ceased to be of relevance to the user
community, it is considered a hindrance in the way of reaching to the required materials.
Weeding is also called de-selection, relegation and discarding. But some of these terms
have certain specific connotations. De-selection is used as a decision for weeding. It is
based on those very considerations which play a role in selection of a title for acquisition
in the library. Relegation is transferring a material not of current relevance but might
serve a need at some later period and therefore it is transferred to a secondary storage
area. Discarding is removing unwanted material from the library for all time. Therefore
the term weeding is more appropriate to describe the function of removing unwanted
materials from the collection.
STOCK VERIFICATION
Stock verification, in the context of library, is done to account for library books and
other library acquisitions as per accession records. The inventory gives an idea of what
the library has and what needs to be replaced. Stock verification is also done to check
the order and condition of library books, to identify those items that need to be cleaned,
repaired or mended. Staff can also identify materials in various class subjects. Libraries
are expected to carry out physical stock verifications at fixed intervals. Though primarily
it is to be carried out to identify missing books in a library, it also, in the process,
identifies those materials which need replacement or repair. In the past periods, need
for stock verification was felt important since during those days books were rare and
were considered very valuable as replacement of missing books was almost impossible.
Books were kept under lock and librarian in those days was a custodian and therefore
was accountable for any loss.
The philosophy that “books are for use” and the need to keep books in open access
system have now changed the scenario in libraries. The function of shelving which also
includes rectification and refurbishing has taken over the responsibility of keeping books
neat and clean and duly repaired, if needed. Libraries now require proper security
system under the charge of a caretaker/security in charge. Stock verification has been
replaced by the concept of stock evaluation. Librarians are now expected to justify if
their collection and the services that they have provided, have met the information
needs of their user community. In our country, however, sock verification is still an
important responsibility of a librarian, more so in small libraries such as school or college
level libraries.
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