PRESERVATION ANALYSIS AND THE BRITTLE BOOK PROBLEM IN COLLEGE LIBRARIES - THE IDENTIFICATION OF RESEARCH-LEVEL COLLECTIONS AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS

This article examines the brittle book problem in college libraries, p riorities for treatment of brittle research materials, and the potenti al contribution of college libraries to national preservation efforts. Using a methodology based on Ross Atkinson's article ''Selection for Preservation,'' the authors conducted condition surveys in three colle ge libraries, identified titles as curriculum support, low-use researc h, or special collections materials, and assessed their physical condi tion. The results indicate that these three libraries own significant numbers of low-use research volumes which are brittle and in some case s held by few other libraries nationwide.