Weeding: Not Just for Gardeners Anymore

Presented atKentucky Public Library Association Conference

Bowling Green, April 10, 2014

Weeding @ The Allen County

Public Library

Population Allen County 18,600Shelia Stovall, Allen County Public Library

Materials Budget 2013-2014Books $60,000Periodicals $3380Music CD $1440DVD $14,400E-Books $10,575Digital Databases $7,425Digital Magazines $4,000

Total $101,220

What if??

For every item we put on the shelf we considered whether there are items that need to be removed?

I wish I could say we use the CREW

ContinuousReviewEvaluation Weeding

The Truth of the Matter.. .

We weed once a year before our annual Friends of the Library Book Sale.

When a section is “Too Full.”

Our Policy Culling of Materials

To maintain the best possible collection of material. A necessary and ongoing process of culling or weeding is essential. Continual evaluation by professional staff determines books, etc., to be removed and replaced by new copies of the same material or items that supersede outdated holdings. Automation has afforded the library a ready means of determining and accessing records necessary for making these decisions. A system known as the CREW method (Continual Review, Evaluation and Weeding) will be followed. Items removed from the shelves, if still in usable condition, will be offered annually in a Friends of the Library book sale.

Benefits of WeedingYou Save Space.Safer Library

Books on the top shelf are a hazard.Step stools to reach the top shelf are a hazard.

You Save TimeIt’s hard to find books on over-crowded shelves.Shifting and re-shifting books takes staff time.

You Make the Collection More AppealingCollection free from outdated, obsolete, shabby, or no longer

useful itemsEnhance Your Library’s Reputation With Up-to-Date Material. Source: Texas State Library and Archives Commission (2012). CREW: A Weeding Manual for

Modern Libraries. www.tsl.state.tx.us/sites/default/files/public/tslac/ld/ld/pubs/crew/crewmethod12.pdf

Collection Analysis @ Allen CountyA rule of thumb held by many library professionals is that about 5% of the collection be weeded every year. Source : Slote, Stanley J. Weeding Library Collections. Libraries Unlimited, 1997. p. 14.

2014-2009 2008-2004 2003-1999 1998-1994 Older 1994

Unknown Age

15,824

9,845

4,2022,123 2,552

947

Collection By Age

Who should weed?

A good rule of thumb is if staff is not taking part in selection of materials - then they should not make a final weeding decision.

Criteria for WeedingThe needs of the community.Budget The ability to replace items.The degree to which the library serves as an

archive or local history center.The availability of more current information

on the Internet or through databases.The ability of the library to borrow the item

through interlibrary loans.

Consider the MUSTIE formula M – (Misleading or Factually Inaccurate)U – (Ugly and worn).S – (Superseded by a new edition or much better

book on the subject.)T - (Trivial – no discernable literary or scientific merit – an ephemeral interest).I - (Irrelevant to the interest in your community)E – (Elsewhere – the material can be obtained elsewhere- interlibrary loan.)Source: Texas State Library and Archives Commission (2012). CREW: A Weeding Manual for

Modern Libraries. www.tsl.state.tx.us/sites/default/files/public/tslac/ld/ld/pubs/crew/crewmethod12.pdf

Easy BooksCondition of Pages and Binding.

Do we need to replace?Has it checked out within the last 2 years?Weed based primarily on current interest

except award books and those on school reading lists (e.g., Newbery Award, Caldecott Medal, Coretta Scott King Award, Bluebonnet lists). Weed older award winners if they have not

circulated in 3 years and evaluate outdated artwork

Juvenile Fiction Be ruthless, consider discarding if it hasn’t

circulated in 2 years.Popular interest is the primary criteria for

this section.For small libraries, multiple copies of high

quality, popular books are more worthwhile than having single copies of many books that are not being used.

Weed duplicate copies of past best sellers.Replace worn editions of classics and award

winners but only if they are still in demand and can be replaced with attractive new editions.

YAPaperbacks are the preferred reading format

for teens.Discard anything over 5 years old unless it is

still circulating.Anything not circulated in 2 years should be

pulled.Discard worn, dirty copies.

Weeding Non-Fiction is Difficult

When in doubt – use common sense.

Non-fiction Outdated information is worse than no information.

(004 –Computers) – discard if over 3 years old. (1333 – Paranormal Phenomena) Keep until worn. (200 Religion & Mythology)

Try to have something up-to-date on six major international religions (Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Taoism.)

(306 Culture & Institutions )– Books on marriage, family life and sexuality. Usually outdated within 5 years.

(310 General Statistics – Almanacs and statistical handbooks are seldom of much use after two years).

(320 Political Science ) Weed within five years of publication. (330 Economics) Currency of information is the most critical factor.

Update items as available in revised editions. (360 Social Services )– Includes drug & alcohol education and social

problems and issues, true crime and criminology. Copyright is not relevant for true crime.

Non-fiction (390 Customs, Etiquette & Folklore) Books on

costumes and fashion history won’t go out of date but discard books about specific designers as interest fades. Books about celebration of life and holiday celebration should be discarded as fashions and customs change. Discard books by celebrities after their popularity has waned

(398 Folklore) Keep standard works indefinitely.

Non-fiction (500 Natural Science )

(507 Science Experiments) Lack of circulation is a good indicator that the book is no longer useful.

(510 Math) Math does not change – weed based on lack of use. (520 Space & Astronomy) Weed titles that include Pluto as a planet. (550 Earth Science) Geology books my be kept indefinitely or until

superseded by newer editions. Field Guides for amateur fossil, gem and rock hunters – 1o years. Weed books on meteorology that do not reflect current weather technology or older than 10 years out of date.

(560 Paleontology) Weed if not being used. Discard most that lack color illustrations.

(570 Life Science) Retain indefinitely classics in the field (Darwin’s Origin of Species) Books on genetics, genetic engineering, human biology and evolution are outdated more quickly.

(580) Botanical Sciences Changes less rapidly. Weed books that lack color illustration or if they appear dated.

Non-Fiction(610 Medicine & Health) Weed ruthlessly when it comes to

current medical practices. Keep only the current year plus the previous for PDR) Regularly review fast changing topics such as AIDS, fertility, cancer. Anatomy and Physiology, do not change as rapidly as other topics. Weed unattractive titles

(629 Automobile Repair) Weed primarily on use.(630 Agriculture) Keep up to date on newest techniques

and hybrids if you serve farmers. (635 Horticulture) General gardening books are useful for a

long time – discard after 10 years old.(636 Pets) Histories of breeds don’t go out of date. Ensure

that books include current photos. Veterinary medicine and animal care should be up-to-date within 5 years.

Non-Fiction(640 Home Economics) Physical condition is key for

cookbooks. Weed books by celebrity chefs once no longer popular. Weed books based on popular diets that are no longer popular. Replace classics such as The Betty Crocker Cookbook.

(700 The Arts)709 Art History – discard books that don’t include good

reproductions of major works of art.720 Architecture – Books featuring house designs and plans

should reflect current taste. Weed if publication date is over 10 years.

769 – Stamp Collecting – Keep a current edition of a book like The Official Blackbook Price Guide to US Postage Stamps in reference.

Non-Fiction(770 Photography ) Check closely for outdated

techniques butt works about specific photographers may be kept as long as there is interest.

(791 Public Performance) Memoirs of actors and histories of film and trivia based on popular moves and television shows. Weed based on interest.

(791 Games and Sports) Discard and replace as rules and interest change.

(800 Literature) Check with local schools and community colleges for assignments or reading lists.

Non-Fiction(910 Geography & Travel) Guidebooks are

outdated within a year or two. Historical travel guides may be kept longer.

(930-999 History) consider demand. Discard dated viewpoints. Retain books that collect primary documents or include archival photographs ).

Biography – Unless person is of permanent interest, such as a U.S. President, discard as soon as demand lessens. Ruthlessly weed ghost written biographies of celebrities and biographies that were published immediately following a person’s death.

FictionDiscard if not circulated in 2 years.Duplicate Copies (don’t forget to check Large

Print)Discard if Worn and DirtyClassics – Do you have the shelf space? Can it

be borrowed from another library? We probably keep too many.

Consider – Kentucky Authors – We probably keep too many .

ReferenceAlmanacs are purchased annually.Encyclopedias – We subscribe to World Book

On-line.

DVD’s Discard if not checked out in 1 year.Over 100 check outs –

Pull and consider bargain bin at Walmart.Disney movies – we’ll replace if available.Series – Consider replacement if still popular

or consider pulling all years of the series.

Audio Books

Discard if not circulated in 2 years.Check for damage – warping and scratched

CD’s.

Something else to consider

Set up displays for low circulating, high quality books that would benefit from exposure.

Don’t forget to rotate books from the bookmobile.

SummaryDevelop and follow policies.

Do not become emotional (I love to read Anne Rivers Siddons books but her older books that aren’t checking out must go.)

Use library software reports to help in the decision making process.

Have a policy for gift books.Remember – Less is More!

Our Gift PolicyGifts and Appraisal

Gifts of material for addition to the library’s collection are accepted by the library director or designated stuff. Final disposition of such materials is made with due consideration to materials selection policy, condition of material, available space, need for duplication, etc. ALL GIFTS MUST BE UNQUALIFIED. Stipulations may not be accepted. Monetary value of donations may not be made by library personnel.

 Gifts of money for materials in honor or memory of a person, group, or

occasion will be accepted for materials to be selected within policy guidelines. Appropriate notification and thanks will be given. Book plates will be placed in materials as appropriate. Gifts of monies in excess of $500, real property, stocks and bonds, etc. will be accepted by the Board of Trustees after consideration of any stipulations or special circumstances.

Weeding: Not Just for Gardeners Anymore

Presented atKentucky Public Library Association Conference

Lexington, March 2013