This document discusses collection evaluation and weeding for libraries. It emphasizes the importance of removing outdated, inaccurate, or irrelevant items from physical and digital collections to save space and time for users and ensure access to current information. It provides criteria for evaluating items like circulation data, age, user ratings, and relevance to curriculum. Reasons for weeding include items being misleading, ugly, superseded, or trivial. The document addresses common fears around weeding and provides options for dealing with weeded materials.

1. Collection Evaluation
and Weeding, OR

2. We are NOT the Museum
of the Book!
Double-click to enter text

3. A definition
Removing items from the
collection based on specific
criteria.
Our physical and virtual
collections must be dynamic
and current.

4. Double-click to enter
Packed
shelves and
dead links are
NOT what our
users want to
see.

5. Why Evaluate
and Weed?
Save time
Save space
Learn about your collection‘s
strengths and weaknesses
Ensure access to CURRENT,
ACCURATE and RELEVANT
information|

6. Having something is NOT
always better than having
nothing!

7. Collection Evaluation
 Use Your Data!
 Circulation Data
 Age of Items
 User Ratings (especially for collections
curated with tools like Scoop.it)
 Curriculum Alignment
 Big changes from CCGPS adoption
 Check student reference
lists/bibliographies—did their sources
come from your library?

8. MUSTY
Misleading (No more Reagan as the
current president!)
Ugly (Visual inspection)
Superseded (No more 1999 Guinness
Book of World Records!)
Trivial (Biography of Mark McGwire
anybody?)
Your collection

9. The Fears
Too busy
Books are sacred
Might be needed by somebody, sometime
Numbers—current rules do NOT require this!
Admitting a selection mistake
Destruction of public property

10. What about...
 Classics
 Ok to keep but check for
newer, more appealing
editions
 School history--Keep
 Local history--Keep
 Textbooks--Discard

11. The really big issue

12. Options
o Give to teachers for classroom use
(really?)
o Donate items to others
o Book sale
o Recycle
Before you do anything check your
school/district policy and check with
your administration!