Skip to main content
Skip to Chat with Us
 

Effective Date 9/1/2024

Last Revision Date 6/11/2024

Responsible Party Associate Dean, Collections and Content Strategy

Director, NYU Special Collections

Policy Purpose and Scope

This policy defines the means, methods, and considerations behind the deaccessioning of collection materials owned by NYU Libraries.

Responsibilities

Decision-making about deaccessioning is the sole responsibility of Collections and Content Strategy for NYU Libraries’ general collections and NYU Special Collections for materials held in that department. The administrative work for deaccessioning is carried out by professionals in the Archival Collections Management (ACM), Collection Development, Knowledge Access (KA), and Digital Library Technology Services (DLTS) departments.

Definitions

Deaccessioning is the official transfer of materials out of the ownership of NYU Libraries.

Policy Statement

New York University Libraries is dedicated to building, preserving, interpreting, and providing access to rich and diverse collections. Deaccessioning of collection materials is a necessary component of managing and maintaining these collections.

General Deaccessioning Practices

NYU Libraries staff adhere to the following ethical and legal stewardship practices around deaccessions:

  • All deaccessions adhere to applicable donor agreements or sales contracts.
  • Deaccessioned material may not be sold, nor may it be given to NYU staff members or their immediate families. Deaccessioned materials with research value may be offered to another institution.
  • Notice and disposal of deaccessions must adhere to the relevant provisions of New York State Law (e.g., Consolidated Laws of New York, Education Law, Part 1, Section 233-AA).

Deaccessioning may be considered if one or more of the following conditions are met:

  • Material does not fall within the scope of the collecting policy;
  • Material cannot be properly stored, preserved or used;
  • Material is duplicated within the collections; or
  • Material is part of a collection held at another institution.

NYU Libraries may deaccession material through transfer to another institution, return of materials to the donor, destruction, donation, or other means.