Weeding
Why do libraries weed?
Our library is limited in space and we must continually make room for new materials. Overcrowded shelves are harmful to the books as it breaks their binding. Overcrowded shelves prevent you from finding what you need, and wastes staff resources by constantly moving books around.
The library’s collection is meant to be useful. Materials that are worn out are not as likely to be used as materials that appear to be in satisfactory condition. Information that is dated can be, at best, a curiosity, and, at worst, dangerous. Keeping a collection stagnant is not a service and can do economic, physical, and intellectual harm.
Weeding is part of a librarian’s job and is done on a regular and ongoing basis, just like selecting new materials is done on a regular and ongoing basis.
The process of weeding is actually helpful in collection development. Weeding requires that staff actually look at the collection. In weeding, you will see the holes and weaknesses in your collection as well as the strengths. If you weed your collection on a continuous basis, you will know your collection better.
What if you do not have what I want?
The library is taking great care to make sure that we maintain a well-balanced collection. If you need something that we do not have at the library, and your account is in good standing, you can always get an interlibrary loan of material from another library. You can apply to borrow the material here at Library, and then both pick it up and return it here. This is one of the services our library offers you.
Weeding is necessary to remain relevant. Remember –we are not in the business of collecting physical things. We collect information and provide access to information. We love books as much as anyone else and sometimes hard decisions have to be made. How many times have you said, “But I just bought that!” and then realized it was ten years ago?
Our library is limited in space and we must continually make room for new materials. Overcrowded shelves are harmful to the books as it breaks their binding. Overcrowded shelves prevent you from finding what you need, and wastes staff resources by constantly moving books around.
The library’s collection is meant to be useful. Materials that are worn out are not as likely to be used as materials that appear to be in satisfactory condition. Information that is dated can be, at best, a curiosity, and, at worst, dangerous. Keeping a collection stagnant is not a service and can do economic, physical, and intellectual harm.
Weeding is part of a librarian’s job and is done on a regular and ongoing basis, just like selecting new materials is done on a regular and ongoing basis.
The process of weeding is actually helpful in collection development. Weeding requires that staff actually look at the collection. In weeding, you will see the holes and weaknesses in your collection as well as the strengths. If you weed your collection on a continuous basis, you will know your collection better.
What if you do not have what I want?
The library is taking great care to make sure that we maintain a well-balanced collection. If you need something that we do not have at the library, and your account is in good standing, you can always get an interlibrary loan of material from another library. You can apply to borrow the material here at Library, and then both pick it up and return it here. This is one of the services our library offers you.
Weeding is necessary to remain relevant. Remember –we are not in the business of collecting physical things. We collect information and provide access to information. We love books as much as anyone else and sometimes hard decisions have to be made. How many times have you said, “But I just bought that!” and then realized it was ten years ago?