There is one delivery each weekday to school and departmental libraries, and two daily to Van Pelt. The books, journals and other materials sent to Storage, although low in use today, are, in effect, being re-selected, for permanent retention in the Library's collection, and collectively represent the Library's judgment that these works have continuing value to Penn scholars. Level of use, both past and expected, is the principal factor in determining what is selected for Storage. Librarians consider the rate of circulation of an item as indicated in the automated circulation system and management reports derived from the circulation database, or as shown on charge slips in the back of the books. Data on re-shelving patterns, where available, is also useful.
Librarians consider the potential an item has for in-library and reference use.
They also draw upon their knowledge of Penn's academic programs, patterns of teaching and course offerings, the advice of faculty members and collection development policies in making storage decisions. In general, items which have circulated only once or twice in the last ten years or have no apparent circulation history at all are prime candidates for storage. In the case of multi-volume sets, librarians select the entire set for transfer unless there are strong reasons to do otherwise. Journals raise their own issues. Journals do not circulate, and therefore librarians weigh the in-house use of these materials in making their decisions.