Public Relations and Library Weeding

Beginning in 1995, the University Libraries of Virginia Tech embarked on a major shelf-load reduction/storage project. Every effort was made to communicate the scope of the project to the teaching/research faculty of the university. This article presents an overview of the project, with emphasis on ways in which sensible criteria, advance publicity, and demonstrations of flexibility and good will can help the library to retain the trust of its public. Potential pitfalls are also identified.