Why Print? Making the Case for Building Print Library Collections

Abstract

There are solid strategic reasons for libraries to continue collecting materials in print format, but these may not always be obvious to institutional administrators and others outside the library. Especially in the field of religious and theological information, print collections continue to be a significant resource for researchers. However, internal and external pressures at institutions with religion and theology programs have driven a desire to abandon print collections, often at odds with librarians. Librarians in the areas of religion and theology need to be able to make the case for widest possible access to important resources both in the present and in the future. I present a way to make this case on one sheet that is hopefully easy for non-librarians to understand. I also offer ideas of when and where to present this case.