UWG Students Result to Dumpster Diving For Free Books After Ingram Library Throws Out Hundreds of Resources To Make Space For Their Updated Catalog

After returning to the University of West Georgia campus from spring break, students were surprised to see a dumpster outside the Pafford Social Science Building filled to the brim with old library books. While it is not out of the ordinary for the library to make space for new books in its catalog, it was alarming for students to see hundreds of books that looked like they were being thrown away without notice.

Recently, the UWG library has been in the process of adding new books and resources to their shelves and has been deciding which books to throw away to make space for the new ones. Fortunately, UWG offers students access to thousands of digitized resources. The books that have been removed will still be accessible to students online.

However, this could negatively affect students who have limited access to the internet or struggle with using online databases.

“I’m a hands-on learner,” said Braelynn Mooney, a UWG sophomore and Mass Communications major. “I’m horrible at reading stuff on a website, and that’s just my learning style. I’m better at reading the physical copy.” 

The library has several resources to help students navigate some of the more complicated parts of databases like GALILEO that may seem overwhelming. Students also have access to computers in the library and the TLC, as well as multiple tech support resources across campus. With help, these databases can be navigated easily and students can quickly find what they need.

“As someone who has used physical books for most of my papers, I do think the website is easier [to navigate] because you can use keywords,” said Vena Thackston, a UWG sophomore and history major. “Half the time when I look in the library I always have to have an employee to help me because the books aren’t where they’re supposed to be.

“Another thing that’s good with digitizing is you don’t have to wait to check out a book if someone else has it checked out,” continued Thackston.

A big concern among many UWG students about the number of books being thrown out is sustainability. Many students feel books could have been donated or that the library could have notified students to take books they are getting rid of instead of throwing them in a dumpster. Students and teachers on campus who prefer to have physical copies of resources have happily been scavenging through the dumpster for books they may want.

“Thinking about it from an environmentalist standpoint, so much of this paper could be recycled or donated instead of being dumped into a landfill,” said Mooney. “I got a book from 2014 about UGA’s Law School and I picked it up and thought, ‘Oh I like this, I’m gonna take this.’”

“Just give it a chance, even if it does end up in a landfill, at least try to give it one more life,” continued Mooney. 
UWG has several student-run clubs that could really benefit from some of the books being thrown out due to the niche topics they cover, like philosophy, feminism, and law and politics.

“We have a book club here, and they’d probably be ecstatic to get [some of these books],” said Thackston. “They’re probably ransacking the most out of anybody and dumpster diving the hardest.”

A National Wildlife Federation report stated that at least 640,000 tons of books end up in landfills every year. With so many UWG students being a part of environmentally conscious clubs or classes, it makes sense why students have worries about this issue.

“I just don’t like the idea of throwing out books,” said Thackston. “I don’t see why we can’t make one of those little book homes where you take a book and leave one. I think that would be such a cute addition to campus.” 

While the library continues to update its catalog, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with online databases and seek help if needed. The library staff is always available to help students with research and answer questions. I encourage students to ask about books the library is getting rid of and look for something you may be interested in, you never know what you might find.