Post on 07-Dec-2014
description
Weeding your CollectionKristy GatesCraighead County Jonesboro Public Library
Why we weed
• “A good library collection is like a good haircut. It’s not what you cut—it’s what you leave.”
• Anne Felix, Grand Prairie (Texas)Public Library System
Why we weed
• The school library supports a curriculum and materials must reflect this fact.
• Your collection should be age and developmentally appropriate.
• It should support the learning goals of your school.
The benefits of weeding
• You save space• You save time• You will keep your library current and exciting• You will have a greater knowledge of your library’s
collection
Shelves examples
CRAMPED
Nice and Neat
Getting Started
• Review your Collection Development Policy• Consider your school district’s policies and
standards• Check for curriculum updates• What are your goals for the collection?
Getting started
• Take a close a look at your library’s collection. Consider cluttered areas, books shelved too high or low, or items that look ragged and shabby
• Gather statistics
Our adventures in weeding
Crew Method of weeding• M-misleading :Look for “dated” popular fiction, obsolete
information, books containing racial, cultural stereotypes
• U-ugly :Books that are worn-out frayed, dirty and are unable to mend
• S-superseded: Look for duplicates, almanacs, yearbooks, encyclopedias superseded by newer editions
• T-trivial: Look for poor writing, inaccurate information, inappropriate interest or reading level for your students
• Y-your collection has no use for book• https://www.tsl.texas.gov/ld/pubs/crew/index.html
Crew Method of Weeding
• Easy Readers/Picture books-Weed any book that has not circulated in the past two years. Picture books are so heavily used that every title should go out at least once in a two-year period.
• Juvenile Fiction-Copyright is less important than use, but consider weeding anything that hasn’t circulated in the past two years.
• YA Fiction-Keep this section very current. Any item that has not circulated within two years should be considered.
Non Fiction/Copyright Considerations
• 000’s-2-10 years• 100’s-10 years• 200’s-5-10 years• 300’s-5-10 years• 400’s-10 years• 500’s-5-10years• 600’s 5-10 years• 700’s-5-15years• 800’s- flexible• 900’s-15 years
• Biographies-flexible• Enclyopedias-5-7 years• Periodicals-5 years• Almanacs/Yearbooks- 3
years in reference, 3 additional years in circulation
• Fiction-10 years• Reference- requires
constant evaluation
Keepers
• Classics• Award Winners• Local History• Annuals/School Publications• Biographical sources
Quick tips for weeding
• Everyone has at least 15 minutes at some point during the week to weed
• Take a section at a time, pull books that at first glance look like they might need to be weeded.
• Look at each book and apply the selection and weeding principles to each title.
What to do with your weeds
• Book Sales• Donate to other groups (Nursing Homes, FOL
Book Store)• Distribution or selling through various
organizations http://www.betterworldbooks.com/
• Recycling centers/Disposal• Switch with others • http://bookmooch.com/ http://
www.paperbackswap.com/index.php
Get Creative
• Be an artist! Scrapbooks, decoupage, furniture, etc.
http://tinyurl.com/ppd6q65 http://tinyurl.com/nkbbvph
More Creative ideas
• http://www.care2.com/greenliving/20-ways-to-reuse-old-books.html• http://
savedbylovecreations.com/2012/04/50-things-to-make-from-old-books.html
• http://www.funforever.net/archives/dont-try-this-at-home/• http://
www.ninakatchadourian.com/languagetranslation/sortedbooks.php
Looking for a way to boost circulation?
• A great way to get books to circulate at your library is to put them on display
Book Displays
Book Displays Suggestions
• Student’s Picks• People you should meet• Good books you may have missed• Last Chance Reads
Questions?
• What are some problems you encounter with weeding?
• What are your weaknesses when it comes to weeding? What do you have hard time letting go of?
• Any helpful suggestions for first time weeders?
Concluding thoughts• “Weeding, when viewed as a normal part of a school
library’s routine does not involve hot summer days or brown paper bags surreptitiously stored in the trunk of the school librarian’s car.”
• http://awfullibrarybooks.net/
My Info
• Kristy Gates• Information Services• kgates@libraryinjonesboro.org• http://
www.libraryinjonesboro.org/what-read-next• http://ccjplbookchats.tumblr.com/