Answering questions at Boston College O’Neill Library
One of my helpers had a chat with Maureen Burke in the Dean’s Office (Gasson 103), and she said that while there’s no policy about this, if you want to take out a book, just bring it to the office and she will OK it. However, I should add that the Gasson Commons is currently closed until the 16th.
Despite their organized appearance, research libraries are hoarders by nature and get rid of very little. The BC Libraries do take books out of circulation, but they are not the cool ones. Items are removed usually because they are falling apart, have been superseded by later or digital editions, or have not been used in many years. Trust me when I say they have little value except to the recycler.
That sounds like a wonderful book for our collection. I caught the eye of our biology librarian, and suggested it to her, and she is placing an order. You can always contact subject librarians with suggestions (libguides.bc.edu/ask-a-librarian/contact). Another option is to place an interlibrary loan (illiad.bc.edu/illiad/bxm/logon.html) and check “yes” for “Should BC purchase this item”.
