6 October 2023
James Logie
By email
: [FYI request #24151 email]
Dear James
OFFICIAL INFORMATION ACT REQUEST 23.89 Number of Library books
I refer to the Official Information Act (the Act) request dated September 2023 for information relating to the
number of library books at the University of Canterbury (UC). You have specifical y requested:
•
I am writing to ask how many books you keep over your many libraries.
•
Furthermore, I am asking about the frequency of use of books. I would like to know how many have
been used within the last 1 year, 2 years, 3 years etc.
The purpose of this is to understand how many books are col ecting dust instead of being put to use.
•
Does the University of Canterbury have a statement on the removal of these books to make space for
student study space?
•
Would the University of Canterbury be wil ing to displace large amounts of books to allows a greater
number of students in the library.
The current numbers of library books in UC’s libraries and storage facilities are as fol ows as at 19 September
2023:
Puaka- James Hight (Central Library): 443,265 items
Engineering and Physical Sciences: 212,696 items
Macmil an Brown: 176,164 items
Storage (al ): 205,601 items
Total: 1,037,726 items
Please see below the cumulative numbers of usage for the years 2020 -2022. These are the numbers of distinct
items that have been used. This does not include multiple uses of the same item. The Covid-19 pandemic
affected the physical circulation of books, therefore the 2020 numbers are not necessarily indicative of
borrowing in general.
33,750 items have been used since 1 July 2022
53,997 items have been used since 1 July 2021
79,322 items have been used since 1 July 2020
Regarding the removal of books, there is a From Physical Col ections to Learning Spaces project. Please see the
attached document regarding this. The project update was produced in 2020 at the start of this multi-year
project. At the time of this response, 25% of the physical col ection has been withdrawn.
Withdrawn items numbers from the col ection
2023: 35118 (to 19 September 2023)
2022: 66043
2021: 74412
2020: 81251
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. Information about
how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
Yours sincerely
Claire O'Connell
Information Compliance Officer
Attachment:
From Physical Col ections to Learning Spaces project
Document Outline
