This document discusses the process of weeding, or removing outdated materials, from a library collection. It addresses why weeding is important, including making space for new resources and ensuring reliable information. It outlines obstacles to weeding like staff resistance. It provides criteria for determining what to weed, both subjectively based on condition and objectively based on age and circulation. Guidelines called MUSTY and CREW are referenced. Considerations for what not to weed and the de-accession process are presented.

3. Deselection:
To Weed or Not to Weed?
• 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

4. 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)

5. Who’s Who in Weeding
Teacher-librarian
Consultant/ Library Tech/
Coordinator Teachers Aide
Administrator

6. 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• Sexist, racist, outdated and inaccurate materials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

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

8. What to Weed: Subjective Weeding
Criteria:
• Poor physical condition
• Poor format
• Poor content
• Inappropriate for
collection

9. What to Weed: Objective Weeding
Criteria:
• Age of the item
• Circulation history
of the item
• Accuracy of information
• Duplicates

10. MUSTY
Acronym 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S -superseded (newer edition or better title)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)

11. Weeding Websites
Helpful websites in determining what to weed:
• The CREW Guidelines for Weeding Your
Collection
• PTSD Cycle of Service

12. 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

13. De-processing
Add 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 Mark across barcode/remove
stamp book pocket
Place barcodes and/or book Stamp “discard” over school
pockets stamp mark
Add information to catalogue Record its removal from the
collection
Shelve Place in a box for disposal

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

15. 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