Weeding

Weeding Policies:

One of the duties and responsibilities of school library media specialists is to assume responsibility for the quality, quantity, and organization of the school library media collection. Therefore, the media specialist must assume professional responsibility for removing from the collection those materials that are no longer appropriate to, nor supportive of, the existing and ever-changing school programs.

**Weeding** (also known as deselection) is an essential element of collection development that ensures the library’s materials are useful and accessible. Systematic weeding is a needed service that will enhance the credibility and use of the school media center. It can be periodic or a continual evaluation of resources intended to remove items that are no longer useful from the collection. If your shelves are cluttered with tattered and obsolete titles, you are doing your program and your students a disservice. Too many administrators tend to reduce budgets because "the shelves are full," without any understanding of the need to constantly weed and update your collection. ** Weeding ** is intended only to remove items that are no longer of use to the media center and its patrons. In the interest of the Constitutional rights of media center patrons, no student, parent, or school system employee may remove materials from circulation in order to circumvent the Reconsideration of Media Center Materials procedures.

Once items have been identified as not suitable for library/media center use, they should be removed using the following procedures:
 * Discard Procedures:**
 * 1) Remove the barcode, spine label, and card pocket from materials to be discarded and strike through any identifying marks.
 * 2) Stamp “Discarded” inside the front and back cover of the book or on the front of audio-visual materials.
 * 3) Box and seal the discarded materials in unmarked boxes.
 * 4) Mark all boxes “Library Books – Discards” and contact the warehouse manager for pickup.

**I. What to Weed** A. Obvious Weeds B. Thoughtful Weeds C. Specific Guides to Weeding Collections || Weed old-fashioned, dated titles not circulated in three to five years. "Classics" to be replaced as new, more attractive editions are made available. ||
 * 1) <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 105%;">Worn and damaged materials
 * 2) <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 105%;">Superseded editions (almanacs and statistical yearbooks)
 * 3) <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 105%;">Duplicates (where none seem to be circulating)
 * 1) <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 105%;">Materials containing information not easily accessible (no table of contents, no index, content poorly organized)
 * 2) <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 105%;">Materials containing outdated, inaccurate information, and/or outdated interpretations, values, and/or attitudes
 * 3) <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 105%;">Material for which format or reading level is inappropriate to the reading level and/or interest level of the students
 * 4) <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 105%;">Material which is no longer in demand, or which no longer supports the curriculum
 * 5) <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 105%;">Material that is condescending, stereotyped, patronizing, or biased
 * 6) <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 105%;">Material which has not circulated in three to five years
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">000 || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Generalities || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Value determined by use. Works on computers are dated after three years. ||
 * || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Bibliographies || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Seldom of use after ten years. ||
 * || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Library and Information Science || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Should conform to current, acceptable practice. ||
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">100 || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ethics || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Value determined by use. Most unscholarly works are useless after ten years. ||
 * || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">Psychology Philosophy || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">Weed titles no longer of interest, superseded books about systems of philosophy, out-of-date psychologies. ||
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">200 || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">Religion || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">Value determined by use. ||
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">300 || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">Social Sciences || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">Discard outdated social issues which are not of historical value. ||
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">320 || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">Political Science || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">Information dates quickly. Books on historical aspects kept according to need. ||
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">340 || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">Law || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">Replace as soon as more current material is available. ||
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">350 || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">Government || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">Dated after ten years. Replace superseded volumes. ||
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">360 || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">Social Problems and Services || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">Depends on use. Most non-historical materials should be weeded after ten years. ||
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">370 || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">Education || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">Keep historical materials if they will be used. Replace non-historical materials in ten years. Weed discredited theories of education. Discard career materials after five years. ||
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">380 || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">Commerce || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">Weed after ten years except for historical materials. ||
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">390 || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">Customs and Folklore || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">Keep standard works. Weed according to use. ||
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">400 || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">Language || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">Discard old grammars. Keep basic materials. Weed other materials according to use. ||
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">500 || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">Pure Science || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">Examine closely anything over five years old, except for botany and natural history. Discard obsolete information and theories. ||
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">600 || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">Technology (Applied Science) || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">Most material is outdated after five to ten years. Give special attention to those dealing with drugs, space technology, sex education, radio, television, medicine. Check to see if resources contain information of historical value. ||
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">700 || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">The Arts || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">Keep basic works in music, art. Replace with better illustrations. Keep stamp and coin catalogs up-to-date. Discard and replace sports and recreational materials as interests change. ||
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">800 || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">Literature || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">Keep literary criticism and history until superseded by more authoritative works. Keep works by local authors. ||
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">900 || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">History || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 99%;">Weeding depends on use, demand, accuracy of information, and fairness of interpretation. Weed superseded histories. ||
 * || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Travel || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Weed travelogues after ten years unless of historical value. ||
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">921 || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Biography || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Discard when demand wanes, unless subject has permanent interest or importance. ||
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fiction, Easy, Story
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">REF || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Reference || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Use same criteria as for general nonfiction works. Keep standard works. Special attention must be given to having up-to-date, accurate information. ||
 * || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Encyclopedias-General || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Dated after five years. ||
 * || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Encyclopedias –Subject Specific || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Replace as content becomes invalid. ||
 * || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Almanacs, Yearbooks, and Statistical Publications || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Superseded by each new volume. Keep three to five years for teaching purposes. Science yearbooks require consideration because of special articles. ||
 * || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Atlases || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Dated after five years. ||
 * || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Periodicals || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Discard after two years, unless indexed. Consider storage space. If indexed, keep no longer than oldest index or five to eight years, depending on use. ||
 * || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Newspapers || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Non-indexed titles keep one week. ||
 * || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Professional || <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Most materials are inappropriate after eight to ten years. Weed items which no longer support the curriculum. No "consumable" workbooks should be housed in the library media center. ||

**<span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 115.5%;">II. What Not to Weed ** <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 105%;"> Some materials should not be discarded; however specific situations will vary. Consider these for retention: D. The "classics", award winners, and those items which appear on standard, current core bibliographies E. Items which may be out of print but still may have some possible use F. Materials of local interest, local histories G. Materials unique in content H. Resources, the absence of which may skew the balance in a subject area and may result in biased representation

**<span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">III. When to Weed ** <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 105%;">The time to weed can best be determined by the media specialist in the school. Often, weeding is related to the inventory of the collection, since this is one opportunity where consideration is given to the library media center resources. Only the media specialist, who is familiar with the school program and the collection, can make the decision. I. Continuously <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 105%;"> J. Intermittently <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 105%;">K. Periodically, a part of or an entire day is allocated to weeding
 * 1) <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 105%;"> This involves weeding on a day-to-day basis as materials are shelved.
 * 1) <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 105%;">May be done in conjunction with a "rolling inventory".
 * 2) <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 105%;">Specific sections are identified as requiring weeding.
 * 1) <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 105%;">Involve the teaching staff.
 * 2) <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 105%;">The media specialist makes final decision.
 * 3) <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 105%;">Address the entire collection.

**<span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">IV. How Web 2.0 Changes Weeding Procedures ** <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">With the variety of Web 2.0 tools that are now available to students and teachers, librarians can weed several print titles, such as periodicals, while still offering media center users the same and even more resources. However, media specialists should be sure that databases and other Web 2.0 sources that they subscribe to are meeting the needs of their users, just as the print resources did.

To determine if a database meets the needs of your students and teachers, be sure to check: Finally, asking for a trial subscription to the database is one of the best ways for librarians to investigate the database's contents while allowing students and teachers the opportunity to try the product. Scheduling a database trial just before a specific research project begins in your library provides students and teachers the best opportunity to offer you feedback for future purchases.
 * The database periodical holdings list-usually found under the "Publications List" on the database search screen OR on the company's website of the specific database product
 * Inclusion dates-when was the periodical added to the database? Does it offer full-text? Graphics? Citations or abstracts only?
 * The curriculum being taught-what is being studied in the classroom? Do your teachers' or students' textbooks refer them to "Additional Readings" within specific periodicals? Does your database offer those periodicals?
 * Lexile levels-many databases are providing Lexile reading levels for their journal articles. If your school uses these for reading, be sure to check the product to make it more user-friendly for all your readers.
 * Federated searching-if you have more than one database from a certain company, does it offer federated searching for a one search option to allow users to search within all databases at once rather than one at a time.
 * Focus-does the database provide a balance of resources on various topics? Is it specializing in a specific field or subject area? What materials are included? What materials are not included?
 * E-book content-does the database mirror a print resource or several sets of specific print titles? Does it contain several individual titles from printed books? Are those materials quality titles or just content add-ons for the database company to compete with others?

CREW: A Weeding Manual for Modern Libraries, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, Austin, Texas, 2008. @http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ld/pubs/crew/index.html SunLink Florida’s K-12 union catalog recommended by LM_NET. @http://www.sunlink.ucf.edu/weed/ Baumbach, Donna J. and Linda L. Miller. “Less is More: a practical guide to weeding school library collections”. Chicago, IL: American Library Association, 2006. Buckingham, Betty Jo. "Weeding the Library Media Center Collections", second edition. State of Iowa: Department of Public Education, 1994. @http://www.iasl-ia.org/pdf/weeding_iowa_1994.pdf Weeding the Library Collection, Western Massachusetts Regional Library System. @http://www.wmrls.org/services/colldev/weeding.html Calgary Board of Education. "Weeding the School Library Media Collection: A Systematic Approach to Strengthening the Library Media Collection." School Library Media Quarterly, Fall, 1987, pp. 419-424.
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 121%;">Weeding Resources **

<span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 121%;">**Sources:** <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> [|Bartow Co. School IFBD Media Center Weeding Policy] <span style="color: #000080; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">[|http://www.aasl.ala.org/aaslblog/?s=weeding&searchbutton=go!] <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">[] Savannah-Chatham Co. District Media Specialists Handbook, dated 8/19/2009. [|Savannah-Chatham Co. Schools IFBD-R Media Center Weeding Policy]