Brittle Books Task Force

Charge:

1. Review the current brittle book workflow and make recommendations for optimum processing; include staffing needs and cost analysis

2. Explore reformatting options that will promote access and browsing of the research materials

3. Establish Library copyright guidelines for brittle book reformatting that incorporate proposed procedures from LOC Report, Section 108 Study Group (due in Nov 2007)

4. Develop plan for reviewing the brittle book backlog and make recommendations for priority processing

5. Develop plan for ongoing brittle book identification within the collection

6. Investigate/compare photocopying and binding outsourcing, print on demand services, and digitization programs

7. Coordinate processing workflow with Preservation, Cataloging & Metadata, Collection Management and Digital Library Center

8. Document procedures and guidelines on the Library Web

Timeline (full, 1 year+)

• Start: Sept 21st , 2007
• Progress Report due: Dec. 21st, 2007 (on cost analysis and processing plans for the brittle book backlog; approximately 3,000 volumes)
• Report due: May 21st, 2007 (outlining a comprehensive implementation plan that includes cost projections and staff requirements, plans for a collection condition survey, strategy for identifying brittle books within the collections, and guidelines for assigning appropriate preservation processing.)
• Town Meeting: Summer A 2007 (present the revised Brittle Books program to instruct library staff of the issues)

Web site of previous Brittle Book program

Brittle Books Survey (1989-1990): On local network, WSID 5467/C drive/Allfiles/BrittleBooks2.pdf (too large to email or upload, but it is text searchable) and in UFDC.