Not every item that is deleted from the collection needs to be replaced, but in areas where the collection lacks scope or depth, or for items that have been removed because they have been superseded by new editions or be- cause they get a great deal of use and are in poor physical condition, re- placement titles should be considered. In addition, as curriculum and stu- dents’ interests change, you will want to add titles to supplement the collection in some areas.
Popular works will generally have newer editions with updated informa- tion, illustrations, and covers. For other titles, the weeding criteria for each topic in chapter 4 will also provide some hints about what to look for in newer titles. Additionally, we have provided some general tips under each topic.
The collection is central to any library media program. Although there is seldom enough money to have the kind of collection you dream about, there’s a real danger that—unless weeded frequently and ruthlessly—your collection can become a nightmare. One of the joys of being a library media specialist is using your professional skills to enable students and teachers to locate, evaluate, and use information. Be sure your professionalism is obvious to everyone through the selection, retention, and weeding of li- brary media materials so that your collection reflects the curriculum, cur- rent events, and students’ needs and interests.
WHAT’S NEXT? 175
If it can’t be managed, it will be thrown away.
If it is abused, it will be thrown away.
If it can’t be identified, it will be thrown away.
If it has no use, it will be thrown away.
If it needs batteries, it will be thrown away.
If it needs bulbs, it will be thrown away.
If it needs a manual, it will be thrown away.
If its operation isn’t inherently obvious, it will be thrown away.
If it was a gift from a faculty member who hasn’t been seen since, it will be thrown away.
If it was a gift from the principal, keep it.
Annette Lamb and Larry Johnson, Collection Maintenance and Weeding,http://eduscapes.com/sms/weeding.html.
177 Alternative Basic Library Education. Weeding the Collection.
http://www.lili.org/forlibs/ce/able/course4/01index.htm.
From the Idaho State Library, an online weeding course in five parts designed for library staff members who have no formal training.
American Library Association. 2004. Weeding Library Collections: A Selected Annotated Bibliography for Library Collection Evaluation(ALA Library Fact Sheet #15). http://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section
=libraryfactsheet&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&
ContentID=75744 or http://tinyurl.com/4y8qc.
This annotated bibliography specifically addresses weeding.
Arizona State Library. Weeding. http://www.lib.az.us/cdt/weeding.htm.
Part of a comprehensive site designed for small and rural libraries.
Provides a good overview of weeding.
Bertland, L. Resources for School Librarians—Collection Development:
Evaluation and Weeding. http://www.sldirectory.com/libsf/resf/coldev2 .html#weed.
Links to tools and articles about assessment and weeding.
Boon, B. 1995. The CREW Method: Expanded Guidelines for Collection Evaluation and Weeding for Small and Medium-Sized Public Libraries.
Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Revised edition of The CREW Manual by Joseph Segal. http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ld/pubs/
crew/.
Step-by-step method for weeding using the CREW method (Continuous Review, Evaluation, and Weeding) and MUSTIE.
Provides guidelines and rationale for a comprehensive sustained weeding program.
Buckingham, B. J. 1994. Weeding the Library Media Center Collections.
http://www.iema-ia.org/IEMA209.html.
From the Iowa Department of Education, sound advice for weeding.
Humorous first-person account of weeding a collection based on sound principles.
Johnson, D. 2001. Weeding the Neglected Collection. http://www .doug-johnson.com/dougwri/weeding.html (update of a School Library Journalarticle from November 1990).
First-year library media specialist recognizes the need to weed and does it! The results and advice.
Klopfer, K. Weed It! For an Attractive and Useful Collection. http://www .wmrls.org/services/colldev/weed_it.html.
General weeding advice, including dealing with staff and the public.
Lamb, A. Collection Maintenance and Weeding. http://eduscapes.com/
sms/weeding.html.
Overview of the weeding process with links to resources and more information.
Lindsay, K. An Ode to a Teacher-Librarian: Making Your Poetry Section Come Alive. http://www.schoollibraries.ca/articles/30.aspx.
Although the title focuses on poetry, the article suggests starting your weeding with the poetry section, gives a rationale for doing so, and provides a good overview of weeding in general
.
Livingston, S. 1997. Weeding Library Media Center Collections. http://
www.pld.fayette.k12.ky.us/lms/weed.htm.
Words of wisdom and practical advice on weeding from a school li- brary media specialist in Jefferson County, Kentucky.
Maryland State Department of Education. “Weeding”: Reassessment of Library Media Collections[Microsoft Word document]. http://www .infohio.org/Documents/UC/WeedingGuidelinesMaryland.doc.
Rationale and criteria for weeding school library media collections.
School Board of Alachua County (FL). Guidelines for Weeding Library Materials. http://www.sbac.edu/%7Emedia/guid_weeding.html.
Seven general guidelines for weeding school library media collections.
School District of Philadelphia. 2001. School Library Handbook: Weeding Library Materials. http://www.libraries.phila.k12.pa.us/handbook/
handbook-weeding.html.
Reasons for weeding, criteria, and procedures from a large metro- politan school district.
Theis, A., and V. Nesting. 2005. Weeding the Fiction Collection: Should I Dump Peyton Place? http://www.overbooked.org/ra/weeding.html.
A collection of resources for evaluating fiction materials, especially in the public library.
WEEDING RESOURCES ON THE WEB 179 articles and resources.
Related
Baltimore County (MD) Public Schools. Selection Criteria for School Library Media Center Collections. http://www.bcps.org/offices/lis/
office/admin/selection.html.
Includes weeding, inventory, and reconsideration policies and procedures.
McKenzie, J. 2000. The New Vertical File: Delivering Great Images and Data to the Desktop. http://www.fno.org/oct00/vertical.html.
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