By Bruce Robbins

WIDESPREAD CONCERN amongst students and academics has forced Dundee University to abandon its library’s controversial policy of binning unwanted books.

The about-turn follows a claim yesterday by a Dundee economist that he bought a four-volume set from the library for 80p and subsequently found the same books being offered for sale at £1500 on an internet website.

A university spokesman yesterday denied the change in policy was in response to the economist’s lucky find but instead said it had been prompted by “general concern” about the library’s decision to ditch books that had not been loaned out for years.

The spokesman added, “The university has cancelled the current programme of book disposal from the library.

“The university deputy principal, Professor Geoff Ward, has been appointed to chair a committee which will examine the situation as a matter of urgency.”

It is understood the first meeting of the new committee will take place on Monday morning.

The decision to dispose of 22,000 books was revealed three days ago when a concerned student complained about the policy.

It was confirmed that books that had not been taken out for more than 10 years were being discarded due to “demands on space”— even though a £7.5 million library extension is due to open next year.

The student said the clear-out had been taking place for much of this year with skips full of books outside the university a “common sight.”

The university initially defended its library’s position saying it was necessary to review its holdings, adding, “The policy of discarding books remains under constant review and we have no intention of getting rid of books that are of significant academic importance, or those which are necessary for students pursuing their studies.”

On Thursday, however, freelance economist Neil Robertson revealed that he stood to make a profit of £1,499.20 if the four books he bought, entitled David Ricardo: Critical Assessments, sold for the same price they had been advertised on a website.

He queried whether or not there might be countless other volumes gathering dust on the library shelves that might also have a value to book collectors.

Mr Robertson said his main concern was that the university was running the risk of breaking up a “unique” collection of economics books inherited from the former Dundee School of Economics and Commerce.

He added, “They might not be the kind of books you would find in Waterstone’s but, as far as professional economists are concerned, they should remain in Dundee University’s library and should not be thrown out.”