SLIPPERY ROCK — Bailey Library at Slippery Rock University is cleaning house.

Philip Tramdack, director of library services, said the library is looking to get rid of older, out-of-date books that have not been circulating. So far, about 25,000 books have been removed. He said about 75,000 eventually will be removed.

“It really has to do with a changing vision of the library,” Tramdack said.

He said the amount of physical items being circulated has greatly decreased.

About 15 years ago, the library lent out 100,000 books. Last year, it lent out only 32,000. The library has about 450,000 items.

At the same time, the demand for technology services from students has gone up.

Soon, the library will be getting a new math lab.

A technology learning center already has been installed in the library. There, staff members assist students with any technology-related question they might have.

Tramdack noted that books on some subjects, such as philosophy and history, do not go out of date. However, others, such as books on science and business, go out of date rather quickly.

“Maintaining large, low-use collections does not meet student needs compared to other possible uses of the facility,” Tramdack said.

Many libraries have a regular “weeding” policy. Bailey has not had one, and consequently has to get rid of a fairly large number of books in a short period of time.

“We should be doing this constantly,” Tramdack said.

Five years ago, he said there were plans to increase the size of the library by 40 percent, which would have provided room for the new facilities and older books. However, the state would not release funding for the project.

Tramdack also said some university libraries have shared storage facilities for out-of-date and noncirculating materials, but SRU and other schools in the State System of Higher Education do not have any.