Weeding (library)

Weeding is the systematic removal of resources from a library based on selected criteria. It is the opposite of selecting material, though the selection and de-selection of material often involve the same thought process. Weeding is a vital process for an active collection because it ensures the collection stays current, relevant, and in good condition. Weeding should be done on a continuous, on-going basis.[1] Educating the staff with workshops and presentations on collection quality, maintenance and the importance and positive benefits of weeding the collection are important components for a library to consider.

Reasons to weed

A "well-maintained, well-pruned collection is far more useful than one filled with out-of-date or unused materials."[2] Weeding a physical collection has many benefits:[1]

  • Space is preserved to add relevant materials.
  • Patrons are able to access useful material quickly, and the librarian can direct them to information more easily.
  • The collection is more reputable because it is current.
  • The librarian can easily see the strengths and weaknesses of the collection.
  • Materials are of good quality and physical condition.

With many collections having a digital component, space is not an issue for concern. However, this does not mean digital collections should not be weeded. "Clearing out unused materials makes a patron’s searching experience better by reducing the number of old and irrelevant records the patrons must wade through in their search results to find what they really want."[2] The digital collection, like the physical collection, should be kept current and easily accessible.

Weeding criteria

Weeding should be addressed in a library's collection development policy, and the criteria should be outlined. The following list outlines some considerations for weeding resources.[1]

  • Poor content
    • Content is outdated or obsolete
    • Content is biased, racist, or sexist
    • Content is irrelevant to patron needs (or not being used in a school's curriculum)
    • Content is too mature/immature for patrons (especially important for school libraries)
  • Poor condition
    • Resource has irreparable damage (torn pages, broken spines)
    • Resource is dirty or smelly
    • Resource would not survive further circulation
  • Poor circulation
    • Resource is not being used by patrons in a certain time frame
  • Other considerations
    • Multiple copies that are not needed
    • Enough other resources on a particular subject
    • Should the item be replaced and the cost of replacement
    • Visual appeal of item (including artwork)

Weeding issues

Weeding may be viewed as controversial by community members. John N. Berry III has discussed these is his essay, "The Weeding War".[3] The controversial nature of collection weeding necessitates the educating of library staff. It provides them with "the tools they need to counter common perceptions or misperceptions regarding weeding", especially those encountered from faculty in an academic library.[4]

gollark: Maybe if people used it more it would give more views.
gollark: hATCHING!
gollark: Draghatch is down.
gollark: NUUUUU!
gollark: Fix as in "keep fixed to some number".

References
  1. Larson, Jeanette (2008), CREW: A Weeding Manual for Modern Libraries, Revised and Updated (PDF), Austin, TX: Texas State Library and Archives Commission, retrieved October 7, 2014
  2. Lehman, Kathleen, "Collection Development and Management", Library Resources & Technical Services, 58 (3): 169–177
  3. Berry III, J. . (2013). "The Weeding War." Library Journal, 138(18), 10.
  4. Harveland, Jennifer (2017). "Library inventory methods: Using flexibility and creativity to achieve a common goal within a federated library system". Collaborative Librarianship. 9(3): 168–174 – via https://digitcommons.du.edu/collaborativelibrarianship/vol 9/ iss3/4.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.