Behind Closed Doors: The Library Stock-Check

A clear sign that Michaelmas is about to begin is the Library’s closure for its annual stock check. During this time we get the Library ready for the new academic year and the students’ return to Pembroke.

Blog by Graduate Trainee Librarian Natasha

Preparations for stock check had started weeks before and so we were ready to hit the ground running once the Monday morning arrived. The task which takes the most time is scanning the shelves and we raced against the clock to complete it. Luckily we didn’t have to do it all by eye as we used an electronic scanner. However, it was quite noisy and so for one week only the rule of silence was relaxed without disturbing any readers.

The scanner’s data shows which books are on the shelves and where. Occasionally something has gotten a little lost on the wrong shelf so while tidying we re-shelve any lost books.

Out of date stock was removed to make room for the new books purchased over the summer (the withdrawn books are going into the next book sale, keep an eye on the Facebook page for dates). By moving the remaining books along we made extra space for the different sections to grow over the coming year as reading lists get updated and items are requested by students.

It wasn’t just us librarians who were busy during stock check; our dedicated cleaners were in making sure everything was spotless, the carpets were cleaned, the windows were washed and even the desks were polished!

Despite being closed, unexpected guests still visited the Library. We were all very shocked when a face appeared on the cameras from within the Library itself. A small bird had trapped itself within the Upper Reading Room; with the butterfly net close at hand, we went to let it out. Thankfully the net was not needed and the bird found another open window to escape from.

Once stock check week was over we were ready to reopen the doors and welcome the new Pembroke students to the Library.