Closing a College Library

There are a growing number of college closures and mergers in the United States. The reasons vary—sharply declining enrollment numbers, unsustainable endowment drawdowns, accreditation issues—as does the amount of notice stakeholders receive before the closure and the fate of the campus and its resources. Closing a College Library offers firsthand accounts of closing a library from different institutions of higher education, with practical tips, checklists, and sample documents, questions to ask yourself as you move through the process, and lessons learned. It provides effective practices for the immediate needs that arise when a library is facing closure, from preparing the building to rehoming special collections and archives to transferring electronic resources. There is much unfamiliar work that comes with a closure or merger, work that can happen concurrently with your regular duties and while you're handling the emotions of your team, students, alumni, faculty, and staff. Closing a College Library offers tools and support in making difficult decisions.