US: Harvard's paper cuts

The thin, tattered book, an 1899 dissertation on Homer, written in French, is tucked into one of the more than 40 shelves devoted to the epic poet in the stacks of Widener Library. Collecting obscure works like this one has helped Harvard amass the world's largest university library, writes Tracy Jan for The Boston Globe.

The 16.5 million volumes university-wide span a range of esoteric topics, from the manuscripts of Ukrainian political leaders to the field notes of famous horticulturists. Harvard owns so many books, serials and other items that it now houses nearly half of the collection in a climate-controlled warehouse in Southborough. But the days of accumulating every important title and artifact under the scholarly sun are over for Harvard's labyrinthine system of 73 libraries.

Facing an unprecedented budget crunch, the university cancelled print copies of more than 1,000 journal titles last year in favour of online subscriptions. And Harvard is turning toward other universities to collaborate and share acquisitions, all while trying to maintain its libraries' stature in an increasingly digital world.
Full report on The Boston Globe site