The Library Collection

A Garden of Literary Delights!

Weeding

Not just for gardens…

• Library collections must reflect changes in the community, sciences, the world and in the library/school/divisional goals

• Essential and difficult part of collection development

• Periodic or continual evaluation of resources• Creates space for new resources• Ensures that

resources are useful and accessible

Deselection: To Weed or Not to Weed?

Obstacles to Weeding

• Procrastination• Reluctance to admit selection mistakes• Staff/parental resistance• Time consuming• Fear

(http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ld/consulting/cemanager/crew.ppt)

Who’s Who in Weeding

Teacher-librarian

Consultant/Coordinator Teachers

Administrator

Library Tech/Aide

Why Weed?

• Sexist, racist, outdated and inaccurate materials• More appealing collection• Patron accessibility• More reliable information• Save space• Enhance library reputation• Check for needed repairs• Identify strengths & weaknesses• Present a better case for a budget increase(http://www.iema-ia.org/IEMA209.html) (http://www.doug-johnson.com/dougwri/weed.html

When to WeedAccording to Information Power• Ongoing process• Not recommended for brand new TLs• Part of the inventory process• Implemented as part of a three-year cycle

What to Weed: Subjective Weeding

Criteria:• Poor physical condition• Poor format• Poor content• Inappropriate for

collection

What to Weed: Objective Weeding

Criteria:• Age of the item• Circulation history

of the item• Accuracy of information• Duplicates

MUSTYAcronym for guidance in weeding books: MUSTY

M -misleading (factually inaccurate)

U -ugly (beyond repair)

S -superseded (newer edition or better title)

T -trivial (no merit)

Y -your collection has no use for it (irrelevant)

Weeding Websites

Helpful websites in determining what to weed:• The CREW Guidelines for Weeding Your Collect

ion• PTSD Cycle of Service

What Not to Weed

• Local history / authors• Unusual illustrations/well known

artists• Special merit/award books• Annuals/yearbooks• Items that may circulate under

different classification• Reference materials not

outdated by other materials• Out of print but still useful

De-processingAdd to the Collection Remove from the Collection

Take the book from the box Take book from shelf

Record its arrival in the school Remove from catalogue

Stamp with a school /library stamp

Mark across barcode/remove book pocket

Place barcodes and/or book pockets

Stamp “discard” over school stamp mark

Add information to catalogue Record its removal from the collection

Shelve Place in a box for disposal

Discarding Books

• Classroom libraries – good quality, duplicates• Divisional policy on:– Donating– Selling– Discarding / Recycling

These are a Few of My Favourite Weeds…

• Journalism for Today – 1972• Alcoholism: A Manual for Students and Practitioners -

Williams, Lincoln 1956• You and Your Camera - Hawken, William R. 1973• Words of Science, and the History Behind Them -

Asimov, Isaac, 1959• Storms - Lehr, Paul E. 1966• Vanishing Peoples of the Earth. 1968• Italy, the Land and Its People - Leech, Michael. 1974