A copy of a popular book has three pages missing. What is the most feasible action?

• A. Replace with a different edition
• B. Type copies of the pages from another volume and type them in the appropriate places.
• C. Ignore missing pages
• D. Notify supervisor

Answer: (C)

When a copy has pages missing, the priority is to maintain access for patrons without getting bogged down in heavyweight fixes. Replacing the edition could cause mismatches with catalog records, pagination, and citations, and it involves more cost and approval steps than necessary right now. Copying pages from another volume and inserting them would alter the book and raise copyright and integrity concerns, plus it’s impractical and error-prone. Ignoring the missing pages (i.e., continuing to circulate the item while noting the defect for staff) minimizes disruption to patrons and keeps the shelf moving, with the understanding that the defect will be addressed later by repair or replacement. In the short term, this approach preserves access and avoids unnecessary, time-consuming work. The defect should be documented so supervisors can decide on a proper long-term remedy.