This document discusses reasons why weeding library collections can be difficult and provides tips for overcoming obstacles to weeding. It notes that regular weeding is important for improving library appeal, saving space and staff/patron time, and keeping collections current. Common reasons cited for not weeding include fears of discarding useful materials or upsetting patrons. The document provides guidelines and criteria for systematic weeding from the CREW method. It also offers weeding advice for specific collection areas and tips for getting staff onboard with weeding.

1. Weeding: Why is it so difficult and what can we do about it?

2. Ranganathan’s 5 LawsBooks are for use.Every reader his book.Every book its reader.Save the time of the reader.A library is a growing organism.

3. 10 Reasons to Weed1. Increase library appeal 2. Save patrons’ and staffs’ time 3. Protect readers from inaccurate information4. Encourage browsing5. Eliminate items no longer of interest to patrons6. Save space7. Increase use of other materials8. Reduce duplicate copies9. Eliminate items no longer fitting library’s mission10. Save time inventorying

4. Rule of Thumb:3%(required for NE public library accreditation)

5. Average % Weeded Last YearAverage % WithdrawnLibraries ServingPopulation 100-499 500-999 1000-1999 2000-4999 5000-999910000-499995.005.227.906.107.818.71Source: 2009 NE Public library statistics

6. 3% of the Average CollectionPopulation ServedAverage # Books in Collection3% 74721156815284272253609385525 224.16 347.04 458.52 816.751082.82565.8 100-499 500-999 1000-1999 2000-4999 5000-999910000-49999Source: 2009 NE Public library statistics

7. What are the reasons that weeding doesn’t get done?

8. 1.“There’s no such thing as a bad book.

10. (The wrong) something is not better than nothing.

11. "Librarians have a responsibility for discarding unsound books of yesteryear. In the eyes of the public, the fact that they are on the shelves confers upon them an endorsement.“--Clarke, G. E. "Propaganda." Library World, 42:62-63, October 1939

12. 2.“Someone might need them”

13. 80/20 Rule (Pareto Principle)20% of your books are responsible for 80% of your circulation

14. When Loriene Roy weeded 10% of three Illinois public libraries in 1985, only one percent of the weeded books were requested over the following eight months. - Source: “Weeding without tears” by Loriene Roy, Collection Management Vol. 12, #1 and 2, 1990, pp. 83-93, p. 91.

15. The best predictor of future circulation?Past circulationSource: Weeding Library Collections, by Stanley J. Slote, 1989, p. 64.3.“We haven’t gotten all the good out of it yet.”OR“It’s not worn out.”

16. Collection DevelopmentProcess and Catalog CirculateSelectWeed and discardCycle

17. Display:“Good Books You Might Have Missed”Photo: Newton Free Library. Available at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/newtonfreelibrary/4727837472/start with 12 books--not too many

18. 4.“I don’t want to admit I made a poor selection.”

19. booksAll discarded lovers should be given a second chance, but with somebody else. - -Mae West

20. 5.“It might be valuable”

21. http://www.abebooks.com/books/RareBooks/

22. 6.“What will people say?”

23. Like most kinds of equipment, most books eventually lose their effectiveness

24. 7.“We won’t have anything left”

25. # Books Purchased for Every Book Withdrawn Additions/WithdrawalsLibraries ServingPopulation2.163.395.0984.971.261.10 100-499 500-999 1000-1999 2000-4999 5000-999910000-49999Source: 2009 NE Public Library Statistics

26. American Book Production(New Books and New Editions)1920……..….……61871957……..…...13,1421977……..…...35,4692007……..….185,969--Bowker Annual, 1959, 1978, 2009

27. 8.The library looks fine/ there’s plenty of room

28. Ask someone who is not familiar with your library, or Take pictures

29. Shelves just inside the door circulate 24% more books than shelves 15 feet inside the door.(74)(98)Shaw, 1938

30. Books Circulated from One Section of Shelves18Top29Row 2 18Row 3 28Row 4 16Row 5 13Row 6 5BottomSource: “The Influence of sloping shelves on book circulation” by Ralph R. Shaw, The Library Quarterly, Vol. 8, No. 4, October 1938, pp. 480-490.

31. In 1973, when Stanley Slote weeded 20% of fiction, six months later circulation increased 106.2%, 20 months later the increase was 121.2%.- Source: Weeding Library Collections by Stanley J. Slote, 1989, p. 65.

32. 9.There isn’t time

33. Make everyone (staff and volunteers) part of the Weeding Team

34. TipsWeed as you go—when an item is in handSet small daily or weekly goalsHave a contestForm a support group – “Reluctant Weeders”Make a chart of the stacks and color in where you’ve weededHave your weeding kit ready to go

35. 10.“I don’t know where to start.”

36. CREW

37. C.R.E.W.(Continuous Review, Evaluation, and Weeding)

38. Download at:http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ld/pubs/crew/

39. CREW Summary Chart

41. What to WeedorUsing CREWMaximum permissible time without useCopyright DateIs it more than X year(s) ago?

42. CREW CriteriaMustyUglySupersededTrivialIrrelevant to your collectionElsewhere (I.L.L.)

43. To Weed or Not To Weed? Checklist of Weeding FactorsPhysical ConditionIntellectual ContentAuthor

44. Publisher

45. Date

46. Reading level

47. Current interest?CircumstancesCirculation Stats

48. Any more copies?

49. Expense to replace

50. Similar resources?Aesthetic ContentIllustrations

51. Format

52. Visual AppealSuitabilityContributes to Mission

53. In school curricula?Your Library Selection PolicyIncludes :De-selection criteria

54. Weeding schedule

55. Disposal methodsSample Policy LanguageEach item, through its quality, reliability, current usefulness andappearance, must earn its place on the shelf, and contribute to the reliability, reputation and attractiveness of the Library.http://www.infopeople.org/training/past/2007/weeding/WMRLS_sample_weed_policy.pdf

56. Quick & DirtyConsider weeding:Duplicate copies no longer neededItems in obviously poor conditionDrab items that get lost on shelvesOlder single title authorsObscure or ephemeral titlesKnockoffs of popular authors (Series of Unfortunate Events, Harry Potter)Lesser works of authors who have diedMinor author/poet collectionsSeries books when titles are missingSimplified/abridged classicsJeanette Larson, Small Library Mgt. Training Program, Collection Development Course

57. Steps to WeedingGather usage statisticsMaintain a weeding kitStudy the area you will be weedingWeedDouble check in indexes & bibliographies Dispose of weeded materials—discard, recycle, sell, donateOrder replacements or put on a wish list to reorder when funds are availableMerchandise low circulating, high-quality items

58. Swiffer Duster Couponhttp://www.swiffer.com/en_US/home.do

59. Advice for Specific Sections: Picture BooksThink boutique (high-quality, current selection)Be aware of ephemeral interestsBoard books should be replaced more often since they get the most abuseReplace worn copies of perennial faves (multiples)

60. Advice for Specific Sections: YA FictionBe ruthless in this sectionCurrency is keyPaperbacks>5 years, remove if not circulating well

61. Advice for Specific Sections: C&YA Non-FictionAnything is not better than nothing Be aware of online resources Better to lack books that have bad information Use CREW Guidelines by Dewey Class as in adult sections

62. Other C&YA Issues Abridged classics (often poor quality)Series books (often poor quality, replace if titles don’t stand alone and collect for various reading levels)Older titles – beware of dated look, torn pages, shabby bindingsWorn classics should be replaced (Don’t be sentimental!)Geography titles older than 5 years – tossScience, medicine, inventions – rapid changes so update every 5 yearsTextbooks – gauge by demand in community and homeschool population

63. Advice for Specific Sections: ReferenceOlder editions may be weeded when superseded Materials should be periodically evaluated, (not as often as circulating collection and not as continuous) Different replacement schedules (new editions may not be as frequent) Keep websites and databases in mind Consider integrating reference materials into the circulating collection, especially if usage is poor

64. Advice for Specific Sections: PeriodicalsCurrent use – use declines drastically 5 years after publication date Interest in circulating older issues – do you allow back issues to circulate? Full-text availability Space

65. Advice for Specific Sections: MediaSubjective CriteriaWorn outOut-of-dateRarely usedSupplied elsewhere Trivial or faddish

66. KeepersVolumes of sets and series with special meritOlder reference works augmented by (not superseded by) later editionsi.e. Bartlett’s Familiar QuotationsLocal historyWorks by local authors

67. Classics DebateIt’s our duty as librarians to expose people to “great” literature.Unless a movie comes out based on a classic, are people still reading them?ReadRead