Weeding Policy

Every library should have a weeding policy, which is usually kept in your policies and procedures handbook at your library. If not, many libraries have begun putting their collection development policies right online for patrons to see and libraries to use. Many policies are short and open for interpretation, which can be good and bad. Sometimes things can backfire on you, like it did at the Fairfax County Public Library. They even got an article in the Washington Post.

Needless to say, it is extremely important to have a good solid weeding policy and staff that understand and support it.

Western Massachusetts was much quicker than I am, and they have a whole list of sample policies from around the United States. Illinois also did some work for me, and they posted links and books that they used in their workshop. Librarians rock!

Here’s a sample policy:

The library strives to maintain a collection that meets the needs of the community. In doing so, a regular and systematic weeding of the library’s materials (including books, periodicals, pamphlets, audio, and visual items) will improve the efficiency and vitality of the library’s resources. Weeding has been shown to increase the quality and use of a library’s collections.

Materials listed in Public Library Catalog, when pertinent to the collection and in good condition, will be given preference for shelf space. Materials whose contents are still of value but have worn out or have fallen into disrepair will be repaired or replaced if possible. If new editions have been released, newer editions will supersede older copies. Materials not actively used but occasionally needed will be weeded. Patrons can use ILL services to obtain them. Items will be searched intra-system before going to ILL.
Materials no longer suitable for the collection will be withdrawn and recycled, discarded, or sold.

Criteria for weeding:
1. Appearance: Books of antiquated appearance which might discourage use; badly bound volumes with soft or shoddy bindings; poorly printed works including books with small print, poor illustrations or paper which is translucent; are candidates for weeding. Also, worn out volumes whose pages are dirty, brittle, yellow or missing; and those with frayed bindings, broken spines, or dingy, torn, or dirty covers.
2. Unnecessary titles: Examples of titles which are no longer needed include duplicate titles whose popularity has waned; inexpensive reprints; older editions of currently held works; highly specialized works whose information is included in other materials or subjects of little interest.
3. Poor Content: Materials which contain dated or incorrect information; poorly written or performed works; or items which have been superseded by newer, improved edition.
4. Age: Items which have not circulated in ten (10) years, and/or out of date items.
5. Specific Classes of Materials: Items which should not have been purchased in the first place; and historical items containing inaccurate information or unfair interpretations.

~ by cathykyle on November 23, 2007.