Difficult Decisions: Closing and Merging Academic Libraries

In response to factors such as the decline in circulation of print materials, cuts to library budgets, decreasing demand for in-person reference service, and the implementation of new service models as well as the increasing interdisciplinary nature of academic research research libraries across North America are merging and consolidating library branches. Merging libraries is complex work for the librarians tasked with these projects. Not only do moving staff, collections, and services require careful planning and execution, there are also myriad stakeholder groups affected when a library closes, all of whom require individualized attention, consideration, and response.

This publication explores all of these aspects of library consolidation through commentary, research, and case studies written by librarians with experience navigating these events. Individual chapters address either the entire process of a consolidation or closure, multiple aspects of one or more experiences, or one aspect that is particularly important such as communicating with faculty or using data to make decisions about collections. Difficult Decisions: Closing And Merging Academic Libraries is a comprehensive resource for library administrators faced with making these decisions, librarians asked to assist with these challenging projects, and anyone working in a library undergoing a merger.

Difficult Decisions: Closing And Merging Academic Libraries is appropriate for all types of academic libraries as well as for schools of library and information science.