Weeding

Removing obsolete or worn materials from the library media center is both desirable and necessary. A search of the collection for information must provide a rewarding experience for the student and teacher. Weeding out obsolete and inaccurate materials will give the library media center a reputation for reliability in the opinion of its users. Weeding is essential to collection maintenance. It is a needed service that will enhance the credibility and use of the library learning commons.

WEEDING SCHEDULE

The Library Media Specialist will conduct an inventory of the school library collection every two years. The inventory can be used to determine losses and remove damaged or worn materials which can then be considered for replacement. The inventory can also be used to deselect and remove materials that are no longer relevant to the curriculum, or of interest to students.
ALA, 2017.

Even when using methods that are recommended by the ALA, the Library Media Specialist should use discretion in making their weeding decisions, keeping in mind their commitment to the mission and vision of their campus.

Suggested methods for weeding include:

MUSTIE

  • Misleading - the information is inaccurate or out of date.

  • Ugly - if the materials are worn, tattered or mildewed (in which case they present a danger to the materials surrounding them).

  • Superseded - if the title has been replaced by a newer edition, a newer format, or a newer title.

  • Trivial - if the material is not well written.

  • Irrelevant - the material does not fit the needs or interests of the learning community.

  • Elsewhere obtainable - the same information is available in another format of title.

CREW (guidelines stated in the simplest form)

  • Continuous

  • Review

  • Evaluation

  • Weeding

SUGGESTED WEEDING EXCEPTIONS

  • Classics, except when a more attractive edition is available or there are too many copies on the shelf.

  • Local and Texas history unless it can be replaced with new copies.

  • School yearbooks and other publications of the campus.

  • Materials that are not subject to rapid change - fairy and folk tales, fiction, biography (with the exception of outdated sports biographies), fine arts and sports (with the exception of rule books), poetry and literature, languages, and religion.