This document provides guidelines for developing a weeding policy and plan for a library collection. It outlines key elements to include such as necessity of weeding, criteria for weeding, methods, and responsibilities. Sample weeding criteria are also given for different subject areas based on factors like circulation, copyright date, physical condition, and accuracy of information. The document concludes with specific weeding guidelines for the Omaha Public Library collections based on Dewey classification and media types.

1. Weeding:Policies and Plans

2. Policy Gives activity official imprimatur Provides basis for decision-making Commits staff to activity Outlines a schedule for activity

3. Sample Policy Language Each item, through its quality, reliability, current usefulness and appearance, must earn its place on the shelf, and contribute to the reliability, reputation and attractiveness of the Library. Berkshire Athenaeum Pittsfield [MA] Public Library http://www.pittsfieldlibrary.org/policy_weeding.html

4. Elements of a Weeding Policy Necessity of weeding Who is responsible? Exceptions Historical/Local Rare Methodology Disposal methods Criteria Misleading info Physical condition Use Age Duplicate volumes Subject Coverage

5. Plan Puts activities in context of community and library Considers entire collection Pre-makes decisions

6. Selection Responsibility Selection Guidelines Selection Criteria Access Gifts Reconsideration of Library Resources

7. Description Influencing Factors Selection Plan Retention & Weeding Development Plan

8. Continuous Review, Evaluation, and Weeding

9. CREW Criteria Misleading Ugly Superseded Trivial Irrelevant to your collection Elsewhere (I.L.L.)

10. Using CREW Maximum permissible time without use Copyright DateIs it more than X year(s) ago?

11. Weeding library collections: library weeding methods, 4th ed., by Stanley J Slote. 1997. Less is more: a practical guide to weeding school library collections, by Donna J Baumbach and Linda L Miller. 2006. Collection development and resources access plan for the Skokie Public Library, 3rd ed., by Teri Room and Barbara A Kozlowski. 2008. http://ccclib.org/policies/ CollectionDevelopmentAccess-1999-11-16.pdf

12. Weeding As A Part of Collection Development, by Pamela K. Kramer. Presented at ISLMA 11/8/02. http://www.islma.org/pdf/weeding.PDF Weeding Library Collections: A Selected Annotated Bibliography for Library Collection Evaluation http://www.ala.org/ala/professionalresources/libfactsheets/alalibraryfactsheet15.cfm CREW: A Weeding Manual for Modern Libraries. http://www.nlc.state.ne.us/ epubs/creativecommons/crewmethod08.pdf Library Collection Development Policies, by Frank W. Hoffmann and Richard J. Wood. 2007

13. Weeding Materials at Omaha Public Library Maggie Tarelli-Falcon, Assistant Library Director October 7, 2011

14. Facts about Omaha Public Library 12 branches 1 million materials 3.2 million checkouts (in 2010) Materials budget of 1.7 million Floating DVDs, audiobooks, music cds, paperbacks , large print, graphic novels, Playaways, and Bestseller Express

16. No library is large enough to keep everything. Our smaller branches in particular are facing space constraints and must be weeded diligently.

17. It makes it easier for people to find what they want. As Charles Cutter said in 1901, “…an unused book is not even good. The library should be a practical thing to be used, not an ideal to be admired.”

18. It is important the library materials look attractive. A smaller but higher quality collection makes much more sense than a library filled with old, worn books and multiple copies of things that aren’t circulating.

20. Guidelines by Dewey Class 340-610 340 Law— Weed materials over 3 years old, as the law changes frequently. 360 Social Services—Keep only current (within 3 years) of standard test books (ACT, SAT, GED). Keep only current (within 3 years) career materials 390 Customs, Etiquette, Folklore—Keep standard works in folklore and weed according to use. Etiquette: keep only basic up-to-date titles. 400 Language, Dictionaries—Weeding depends on use and condition. 500 Natural Sciences-- Carefully evaluate anything older than 5 years. Classics such as Darwin’s “Origin of Species” should be kept but must be in good condition. Order a new copy if yours is grubby. 550 Earth Sciences—Nebraska materials may be kept unless superseded by new editions. Weed grubby items. Check Neb Ref (3rd fl) if you think they may need this. 610 Medicine—Anatomy and Physiology change very little, but keep only very recent editions (one reference, older year circulating) of prescription and over-the-counter drug directories, etc. Materials on cancer, AIDS, genetics should be kept for three years.

21. Guidelines by Dewey Class 641.5-770 641.5 Cookbooks—Determine by use and shelf space. Replace classicssuch as Betty Crocker with updated editions. 649 Child Rearing—Have new theories and trends available and replace worn classics with newer editions. Nothing should be over 5 years. 650.14 Resume and Job Hunting—Keep only current 3 years. Rest of 600 ---Discard dated materials especially in business, medicine, sex education, space technology. Gardening books may be kept for up to ten years or so but weed for condition. Keep automotive repair manuals if they are used. Refer patrons to the online Auto Repair Center. 700 The Arts --Keep materials on the history of art, music and interior design but discard general home decorating if over 5 years old, unless it is a distinct style (feng shui, southwestern.) Replace if old or dated. Antique price guides should be current in reference, with perhaps only one previous year in circulation. The same applies to coin and stamp catalogues. 770 Photography—Materials onoutdated equipment should be weeded.

22. Guidelines by Dewey Class 800-Fiction 800 Literature— Generally weed for condition not age. Copies of classic poetry, plays, short stories, etc. should be kept in good condition. Weed copies in grubby condition and let Collection Development know if new copies are needed. Play anthologies, (i.e., Best Plays of 1999) and anthologies of popular genres (i.e. Anthology of romance stories) should be weeded after 4 years of no circulation. Fiction: Keep local authors and classics. Please think of the system as a whole, so if you don’t have a classic author but there are plenty in the system, at other branches you do not need to have all titles at your branch. The smaller branches do not have the shelf space for too many classics. Try to retain copies of award books and those on reading lists. (E.g. keep several copies of Tale of two cities or 1984, if they are on the high school reading lists.) Not every edition of a classic work is necessary for each location. Each OPL location does not need to keep all books in a series or all books written by a popular author. If there are other copies in the system, weed for space.

23. Guidelines by Dewey Class Fiction-Biography Weed duplicate fiction. You may keep 2 copies of the current year plus one year’s bestsellers. Weed all other duplicate best sellers, unless the title is still filling holds. If a fiction book has not gone out a minimum of 12 circulations in three years, consider weeding. If a book has gone out over 40 circulations, check the physical condition. 900 Geography and History--Many travel books are replaced annually so do not have too many older editions on your shelf (certainly no more than 3 years) Personal travel narratives could be retained longer. Atlases should not be older than 5 years. The history collection should contain a range of materials on all historical periods. Retain local history but you may check to see if Nebraska Reference (3rd fl.) needs it, before weeding. Examine circulation statistics for history works you are not sure of. Please weed if not checked out in the last 4 years. Biography--Keep until demand wanes, unless outstanding in content or style and still used. Keep if subject has permanent interest or importance. Replace older biographies of mediocre literary value when better ones appear. Keep works about local/regional individuals.

24. Guidelines for Weeding Media Music Compact Discs Weed according to circulation statistics, or condition. Floating coordinators will examine the collection monthly and transfer items to other locations in need. Music CD's, which have not circulated in 2 years, are considered for withdrawal. Spoken Compact Discs Weed according to circulation statistics, or condition. Floating coordinators will examine the collection monthly and transfer items to other locations in need. SCD’s checked out less than 10 times in the last 2 years can be weeded. DVDs Weed according to circulation statistics, or condition. A DVD circulated over 100 times should be evaluated for weeding. Nonfiction DVDs and older feature films that have not circulated in 2 years can be weeded. Keep classics, but weed for condition and ask for purchase of new copies. DVDs checked out less than 10 times in the last 2 years can be weeded.

25. collectionHQ at Omaha Public Library collectionHQ is a software application for libraries delivered via the internet as a subscription based service. We send ILS data monthly to collectionHQ and the collection staff is able to analyze the data to improve performance of the collections and helps make better purchasing decisions, based on analysis of evidence of demand. OPL plan: Team approach—3 phases: Clean up of catalog and cleanse shelves of undesirable items printed off collection check lists for each branch, items not checked out for 4 years and grubby items with over 40 checkouts. 2. Consolidate and Improve -- set up swap groups and transfer materials to give materials a chance to check out at another location. Meet Popular Demand -- run reports such as popular author, subjects, understocked and overstocked materials, etc. -- spending plan tools, standing orders, etc. www.collectionHQ.com

26. Top Authors at Omaha Public Library August 2011 Position Author Circulation 1 Patterson, James 1468 2 1113 Seuss 3 Brown, Marc Tolon 794 4 Evanovich, Janet 783 5 Berenstain, Stan 674 6 Meadows, Daisy 648 7 Osborne, Mary Pope 628 8 Roberts, Nora 621 9 Rey, Margret 615 10 Rylant, Cynthia 510 11 O'Connor, Jane 448 12 Macomber, Debbie 440 13 Warner, Gertrude Chandler 436 14 Park, Barbara 422 15 Baldacci, David 398 16 Steel, Danielle 392 17 Stilton, Geronimo 392 18 Michaels, Fern 374 19 Bridwell, Norman 369 20 Awdry, W 367 Powered by

27. Collection Check Action Plan (Non-Fiction) Date of Report Sep 15, 2011 6:03 PM System Omaha Public Library Dataset 28-Aug-11 Type Adult Region Omaha Group Library Name Main Library From Class 004.600000 To Class 004.999900 Description Peripherals/comms/internet The following titles may not be on your shelves. Action: Check shelves and update ILS for missing stock. Author Title ISBN Last Use Barcode Date Class Collection New Entry? Call Date Added Number Number Barth, Wolfgang. Nagios : 1593270704 Oct 14, 33149024370039 Apr 14, 004.600000 NM2 004.6 2006 2006 Burgess, Mark, Principles of network and 0470868074 May 17, 33149024445799 Jan 20, 004.600000 NM2 004.6 system administration / 2007 2006 Tollett, John. Macs on the go : 0321247485 Jul 6, 33149024394260 Jun 28, 004.620000 NM2 004.62 2007 2006 Sep 15, 2011 Collection Check Action Plan (Non-Fiction) Page: 4 6:03 PM

28. Long Overdue Check Action Plan (Fiction) Date of Report Sep 15, 2011 6:36 PM System Omaha Public Library Dataset 28-Aug-11 Region Omaha Group Library Name Willa Cather Branch Collection Science Fiction (SF) The following items have been on loan and have not been returned. Update your ILS accordingly. Title ISBN Last Use Date Barcode Date Added New Entry? Call Author Number The approaching storm / Foster, Alan Dean, 0345443004 Sep 14, 2010 Jan 8, 2002 New Entry SF 33149016547719 Shatterpoint : Stover, Matthew 0345455738 Sep 18, 2010 Jun 26, 2003 New Entry SF 33149018477477 Woodring. The unifying force / Luceno, James 0345428528 Feb 23, 2011 Dec 16, 2003 New Entry 33149022550152 SF Sep 15, 2011 Long Overdue Check Action Plan (Fiction) Page: 3 6:36 PM

29. Maggie Tarelli-Falcon | Assistant Library DirectorW. Dale Clark Main Library 215 S. 15th St. | Omaha, Ne 68102 mtarelli-falcon@omahalibrary.org| 402.444.4854 omahalibrary.org Follow OPL on Twitter & Facebook .

30. Academically Weeding Casey Kralik, Technical Services Librarian October 7, 2011 Weeding Panel Presentation sponsored by Technical Services Round Table, NLA

31. Policy and Procedure Standard weeding applies Focus on supporting curriculum, education Dissertations Faculty Publications, selected materials Core, research materials

32. Getting Started Set up a schedule Get others involved Reference Librarians Subject Liaisons Subjects and Collections Assign individuals to specific areas

33. Evaluation and Disposal Decide who evaluates (1 or more) Utilize your tools Director’s Station (SirsiDynix) Catalog Material disposal Book sale 3rd party sellers Recycling

34. Documentation and Follow Up Statistics De-valuation information Keep the cycle going weeding  acquisition

35. Weeding in a School Library Patty Birch, School Librarian North Platte High School

38. MORE TITLES TO WEED Every rebound book in its buckram cover Every book without a jacket (It’s worth investing a few dollars on new paperback copies rather than expecting jacketless books to circulate). Many short story collections From the September 1, 2011 Booklist article by Joyce Saricks, entitled, “At Leisure with Joyce Saricks: The Lessons of Weeding.

39. OTHERS CAN HELP I had a student helper go through the fiction section and tell me what books a student would NEVER pick up because: It had a dorky cover It was old It was icky to touch Someone had taken a bath with the book

40. EXPERTS IN A FIELD Because there are some subjects I feel I need help, I solicit a teacher from that discipline to assist me when weeding non-fiction

41. REORGANIZING THE FICTION…GAVE US A BIG OPPORTUNITY TO WEED

42. About donations…remember…. Don’t add any book, or audio visual item that you would not purchase for the library…You’ll just end up weeding that item!

43. HOW TO EVALUATE YOUR COLLECTION Collection evaluation:is “an organized process for systematically analyzing and describing a library’s collection” I Use Follett’s TitleWise Collection Analysis (Primarily for Schools)

45. Follett Titlewise – Analysis Overview

46. 2 Other Different Weeding Plans: 1) Gail Dickinson’s Three-Step Weeding Process(Professor in the School Library Media Program, Dept. of Educational Curriculum and Instruction, Darden College of Education at Old Dominion University, Virginia) 2) Karen Lowe’s Resource Alignment: Providing Curriculum Support in the School Library Media Center Lowe, K. R. (2005). Resource Alignment: Providing Curriculum Support in the School Library Media Center. Millers Creek, NC: Beacon Consulting.

47. Gail Dickinson’s Three-Step Weeding Process One-shelf-per-week procedure Step 1. Stand in front of the shelf, slightly pulling out the books that at first glace look like they might need to be weeded. (Time: 1 minute) Step 2. Look at each book you have selected, and apply the selection principles. Step 3. Make the decision of whether or not to actually weed the books. Take the books you’re considering and delete them from the OPAC. b) Mark the books as weeded, remove markings, etc. Toss the books in the trash. (Time: 10 minutes)

48. Don’t shotgun spend. Instead, use a rifle. Karen Lowe’s Resource Alignment: Providing Curriculum Support in the School Library Media Center Print a shelf list from the OPAC. Include copyright date Highlight the copyright date of materials which appear to be out of date (yellow) Take the shelf list to the shelves; highlight worn copies, etc. Using the forms Karen Lowe provides in her book, develop a list of resource strengths and needs Prioritize the needs Divide the needs over three to five years, based on available funds Determine amount of fund $$ needed per year Prepare a recommendation, explaining the rationale for the plan and budget Share plan, budget and narrative with interested parties Slant funding towards those who use the resources in your library, and slant spending towards users, but have ALL topic areas of curriculum covered

49. Have a plan for items you Plan to Discard: Throw Them Away. It’s okay, really, It’s hard, but sometimes, there is a reason why a book hasn’t circulated in 5 or 10 years. Book sale (Friends of the Library sale) For schools, don’t have a sale Give to other organizations like Better World Books, etc. Transfer to storage site or special collections

50. Weed continuously throughout the year: Don’t Procrastinate Don’t wait until summer Takes less time when done continuously Make it a weekly priority Aim for 15 minutes a week.

51. Questions? Slides will be posted to SlideShare