NIU libraries reported the replacement of 10,000 pages of mutilated library journals in 1987.

Elizabeth Titus, university libraries’ assistant director for public services, said the amount of materials damaged each year is about the same, and the problem is considered a national phenomenon.

She said the materials are mutilated by being stolen, having pages ripped out or students underlining directly onto the pages of the material.

Titus said students are involved in a highly competitive environment, and they might feel the need to acquire and keep materials they feel are valuable to other students.

Many people also “conveniently misplace” the materials in order to limit access to fellow students, she said.

“A lot of students don’t see the connection of what it (damage to materials) means to their fellow students.”

She added that damage done to library materials decreases the access of information to other students.

The price to replace journals varies depending upon the amount of usage. Titus said the library is charged a flat rate by University Microforms International to replace damaged journals. She said a replacement copy is usually received within 48 hours.

Titus said stolen books or those used so often that they need to be replaced can only be replaced with a similar book, not the original, if it is no longer in print.

Titus said the library is “highly dependent on the public” to inform the library about damaged materials. She said anyone finding damaged materials should bring them to the information desk so they can be mended or replaced.

There are so many materials in the library that those damaged are left on the shelves until someone informs the library staff about the damage, she said.

NIU senior Donna Kosick said she has noticed the largest amount of damage in periodicals. She said it is a “hassle” to look for something only to find it destroyed.

NIU junior Nick Kelly said he has never noticed a lot of damage to materials.

He said if a pre-paid yearly fee was charged to students, the loss of materials might be less. This policy might alleviate the theft or mutilation of materials because students would not have to pay at the time of copying such materials.