STOCK VERIFICATION:
Stock verification implies the physical check up of the articles on record. This is a common practice in all organisations whether private companies or government departments. Stricly speaking it is undertaken to ascertain that all the books acquired by the library are accounted for. In a narrow sense it means physical check up but in a broader sense it would mean to have an assessment of the collection of documents. Stock verification is a controversial subject among librarians due to the conservative attitude of authorities for holding librarian responsible for losses due to theft while no facility is provided or provision is made to develop security arrangement.
Need for Stock Verification
Despite its disadvantages and disfavour by librarians, some kind of accounting for the stock is generally felt to be necessary. Some are of the opinion that an annual inventory is essential to identify the administrative defects and slackness and to take necessary action to rectify these tendencies. Stock verification need not be viewed as an unnecessary evil. There are many advantages of stock taking. However the desirability or otherwise of stock verification depends on the size of the library collection. In large libraries, it is difficult to have a thorough regular physical checking. Such libraries may carryout sample verification of various sections in phases to ascertain the stock position.