[Michlib-l] Seeking Benchmark Data on Library Material Losses

[Scott Morey]

Greetings,

Like many other libraries, we strive to balance increasing access with
protecting our community's investment in our collection.

Today, I had a conversation with our circulation manager about the expected
amount of lost or stolen materials as a routine part of library operations.
I was hoping to find an established benchmark (e.g., libraries typically
lose *X%* of their collection value annually), but so far, I haven’t come
across anything definitive.

Has anyone else looked into this or found useful data on this topic?

Having a benchmark would help us assess whether our current loss levels are
within a reasonable range or if they indicate a need to adjust our policies
or security measures.

Any insights or resources you can share would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers!

Scott W. Morey
he/him/his
Assistant Director for Technology
Traverse Area District Library
smorey at tadl.org
(231) 932-8531
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