 Why we need to weed  Why we don’t weed  Strategies for weeding  Resources Encyclo-Media 28, September 18-19, 2008

OverjoyedOverwhelmed Encyclo-Media 28, September 18-19, 2008

Collection Management Order Select Process Evaluate Collection Weed Where do I start? Encyclo-Media 28, September 18-19, 2008

 A plant considered undesirable, unattractive, or troublesome, especially one growing where it is not wanted, as in a garden.  Something useless, detrimental, or worthless, ….  What is weeding? › To remove (weeds). › To eliminate as unsuitable or unwanted. › The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition, online © 2000, Houghton Mifflin Company Encyclo-Media 28, September 18-19, 2008

 Prune: › To cut off or remove dead or living parts or branches of (a plant, for example) to improve shape or growth. › To remove or cut out as superfluous.  Pruning: › To remove what is superfluous or undesirable. Encyclo-Media 28, September 18-19, 2008

 Weeding helps you learn your collection  Weeding can be done in short periods of time  Weeding improves the look of the library › More room on the shelves › More up to date collection  Weeding burns calories!  Handy, Alice Evans. “Just do it!”. Book Report (Jan. 1994): 11. Academic Search Elite. EBSCO. 25 Mar Encyclo-Media 28, September 18-19, 2008

 Eliminates sexist, racist, and inaccurate materials  Emphasizes quality not quantity › Full library shelves = adequate funding › Empty library shelves = inadequate funding › Shelves filled with books of no value are the equivalent of pantries full of empty cereal boxes.  Johnson, Doug. “Weed!”. Library Media Connection (9/ ): 25 Mar  From LM_Net: “The only good [out-of-date books] are doing is giving the people who fund you a false sense of security allowing them to cut your budget for the materials that make you a timely valid educational resource.” Encyclo-Media 28, September 18-19, 2008

 Weeding saves time! › It’s faster and easier to find what you need  You and the media center look good! Encyclo-Media 28, September 18-19, 2008

 Time – So much to do and so many other things to distract me.  What?!?! Throw away a book?!?!?!  Might be needed  This is a good book! I read it when I was a kid!  Difficult to admit selection mistakes Encyclo-Media 28, September 18-19, 2008

 Teacher in the library  Librarian in the school  This can determine how you (and others) view the weeding process. Encyclo-Media 28, September 18-19, 2008

 Does your district have a board- approved collection development policy?  For information on collection development policies, visit ev2.html ev2.html Encyclo-Media 28, September 18-19, 2008

 CREW › Continuous › Review › Evaluation › Weeding  Establish a cycle › By section – one section at a time  As items are handled  During inventory  Look at usage statistics  Look at curriculum  Follow your guidelines  Just Do It! Encyclo-Media 28, September 18-19, 2008

 Examine a shelf or subject area as a whole, then individual items  Label boxes (or piles) – replace, keep weed, repair, bindery, etc. (keep these in your office)  Treat books according to the labels  Create displays for low-circulating books that would be useful if students knew about them Encyclo-Media 28, September 18-19, 2008

 Age – check copyright date – more sensitive in some areas  Dated or inaccurate information  Appearance  Circulation statistics  Beware of Words in title indicating currency – new, modern, current  Audience – does it meet the needs of your students? Encyclo-Media 28, September 18-19, 2008

 Misleading – out of date, inaccurate  Ugly – damaged, worn, taped, ugly bindings  Superseded – newer edition  Trivial – does it fit the curriculum?  Irrelevant – who is the audience?  Elsewhere – is something better available in another place? Encyclo-Media 28, September 18-19, 2008

Atoms  1959 My Easy-To-Read True Book of Airports and Airplanes © 1956 Dated information and pictures Encyclo-Media 28, September 18-19, 2008

Atlas of the Presidents © 1964 Sports Stars: Magic Johnson © 1981 On SUNLINK’s list of titles to delete Encyclo-Media 28, September 18-19, 2008

The Book That Had a Secret Tells about the binding process at Bound to Stay Bound © 1965, Revised 1991 Who is the audience? Robert Goddard: Father of the Space Age © 1963 Wouldn’t have known how much of an impact his life had on the space program in 1963 Encyclo-Media 28, September 18-19, 2008

I Want to be a Librarian © 1960 Librarian is a single female, wears a bun, and uses the card catalog! On SUNLINK’s list of titles to delete Blue Bug Goes to the Library  1979 The Little Airplane  1938, renewed 1966 Encyclo-Media 28, September 18-19, 2008

X/Y/MUSTIE  X = number of years since latest copyright date  Y = number of years since last circulation  What MUSTIE factors are present?  Adapted from CREW Manual – Texas State Library and Archives Commission html html Encyclo-Media 28, September 18-19, 2008

8/3/MUSTIE  Copyright 8 or more years ago  Last circulation 3 or more years ago  Book has one or more MUSTIE factors Encyclo-Media 28, September 18-19, 2008

000 Generalities Almanacs2/Y/MUSTIE Circulate older volumes no more than 3-5 years Bibliographies10/Y/MUSTIE Many of the titles listed will be out of print within 10 years Computer Information3/Y/MUSTIE Changes quickly Unexplained Phenomenon (includes Loch Ness Monster, Bermuda Triangle, Bigfoot, UFOs…) X/Y/MUSTIE Keep based on demand and condition

Encyclo-Media 28, September 18-19, Philosophy and Psychology Popular Psychology and Self Help 10/3/MUSTIE Check for dated pictures and concepts Popular TopicsBe sure represented

Encyclo-Media 28, September 18-19, Religion and Mythology Religion10/3/MUSTIE or 5/3/MUSTIE Dates slowly Based on needs and curriculum Try for something current on the major religions Watch for propaganda

Encyclo-Media 28, September 18-19, Social Sciences Careers5/Y/MUSTIE Are women and computers represented? Does the career still exist? Law, Government, Education 10/3/MUSTIE May have historic value – keep only if used Remove outdated information Sociology, Communities 5-10/3/MUSTIE Be critical of “future,” “new,” “modern” Keep a balanced collection Controversial topics – current, accurate, fair Holidays and Customs 10/3/MUSTIE Keep as long as condition is good Look for diversity Etiquette/Manners5/3/MUSTIE Is included? Is it kid friendly? Dating customs? Keep only basic, up-to-date materials Fairy Tales and Folk Tales X/3/MUSTIE Keep standard works Keep as long as condition is good

Encyclo-Media 28, September 18-19, Language Dictionaries10/3/MUSTIE Some sources suggest weeding after 5 years, others after 15 Language changes constantly Look for words about current technologies Foreign Language and ESL Materials 10/3/MUSTIE May wear out quickly – replace as needed

Encyclo-Media 28, September 18-19, Natural Sciences Check for unsafe science fair experiments Keep basic, historical works Collection should reflect newest information – when in doubt, ask the experts in your school, district, or beyond Astronomy3-5/3/MUSTIE Solar system, planets, moons – rapid change Weather and Climate5/3/MUSTIE Should include use of computers and satellites in prediction Chemistry3-5/3/MUSTIE Correct number of elements in periodic table Dinosaurs5-10/3/MUSTIE Mention current discoveries Botany and Natural History 10/3/MUSTIE Changes slowly Mathematics10/3/MUSTIE Weed items discussing slide rules or the “new” math of the 1960s

 From discussion on LM_Net:  Wait  This will be discussed again in the science community.  Disclaimers in books  Great lesson opportunity!  Currency and outdated information Encyclo-Media 28, September 18-19, 2008

600 Applied Sciences Medicine3-5/3/MUSTIE Older medical information can be misleading and even dangerous Check diet and nutrition Agriculture and Farm Animals 5-10/3/MUSTIE Check illustrations of farm equipment Keep horse, dog, and cat books until worn out! Technology2-5/3/MUSTIE Check how TV, computers, and radios are used Transportation5-10/3/MUSTIE Keep car repair manuals Are the vehicles modern? Space Technology3-5/3/MUSTIE Space station, Mars and Venus explorations Cookbooks3-5/3/MUSTIE Check food handling and safety information

Encyclo-Media 28, September 18-19, Arts and Recreation Photography5/3/MUSTIE Newer techniques and digital cameras Sports, Hobbies, and Games 5-10/3/MUSTIE Replace as interests change Check team names, rosters, locations Check rules and equipment needs Only keep current books on baseball cards and stamp and coin collecting Music3-5/3/MUSTIE for pop Keep basic histories ArtX/Y/MUSTIE Check techniques Keep basic histories CraftsX/3/MUSTIE Keep if relevant to current interests

Encyclo-Media 28, September 18-19, Literature X/Y/MUSTIE Consider what is needed for curriculum What titles are needed for the English department? Multiple copies may be needed of some titles Keep literary history unless superseded ClassicsConsider multiple copies – how many are really needed? Keep most recent edition – best condition CriticismsKeep criticisms of classic writers PoetryCheck condition

Encyclo-Media 28, September 18-19, History & Geography History5-10/3/MUSTIE Evaluate accuracy Look for multiple viewpoints Look for dated viewpoints Look for bias Geography3-5/3/MUSTIE Current clothing and lifestyles Country Books5-10/3/MUSTIE Check names of countries Current information Travel Guides2/Y/MUSTIE Won’t be much help if out of date

Encyclo-Media 28, September 18-19, 2008 Fiction & Picture Books 5-20 years Outdated topics Review dialogue – is it patronizing or condescending? Abridged classics Replace worn Caldecott and Newbery titles – be sure titles are still available before discarding Replace classics and heavily used titles Want current authors and titles Look at literary merit Picture BooksX/3/MUSTIE Look for good stories and illustrations Weed unattractive books Children’s FictionX/2/MUSTIE Weed unattractive rebinds, books missing their jackets, books with frayed corners or spines Replace if title or author is in demand Young Adult Fiction3-5/2/MUSTIE Keep collection as current as possible Replace only if title is a classic or in high demand

Encyclo-Media 28, September 18-19, 2008 Local Materials X/Y/MUSTIE Be cautious Keep local histories Keep materials by local authors Keep books with local settings Keep school yearbooks Periodicals 5 years Some periodicals may not be available any other way. Before weeding based on availability in purchased databases, remember that funding may not always be available for those databases. Although articles may be in the databases, the photographs might not be part of the deal. Consider what to weed and why.

Encyclo-Media 28, September 18-19, 2008 Biography X/3-5/MUSTIE Check for accuracy and dated information Keep if someone of permanent interest Check circulation statistics – 5 year test: if not checked out in last 5 years, most likely won’t be checked out in next 5 years Sports, music, and entertainment – are they current and still in demand? Professional Collection Check the terminology What approaches to teaching are discussed?

Encyclo-Media 28, September 18-19, 2008 Reference Collection Atlases3-5/Y/MUSTIE May keep for historical purposes – use caution Encyclopedias5/Y/MUSTIE Replace at least 1 set every 5 years Circulate older sets for no more than 8 years Audiovisual Materials Dated materials – Look at fads and fashions Relevant to curriculum and interests Formats no longer supported – filmstrips, records Poor quality tapes or CDs Broken cases Viewing equipment doesn’t work

 Know your district’s policy on disposing of discarded items!  Be discreet!  OBLITERATE any school markings  Delete records or copies from the library catalog  If it isn’t good enough for the library, it isn’t good enough for the classroom or another school. Encyclo-Media 28, September 18-19, 2008

 Weeding involves making accurate decisions. › Do not weed when you are tired. › Do not close the library to weed. Do it “a bite at a time.”  When you begin to keep everything, STOP! › The school library is NOT a museum or archive! Encyclo-Media 28, September 18-19, 2008

 Garden party › Decorations and snacks › Assigned teachers to areas they would use in classes › Teaching teams were mixed up › Partners worked in 2 small areas – fiction/nonfiction › Before start – explain what to look for › Provide list of things to look for & paper for notes › Limited time to work in each section – snacks between sections › Teachers shared with their teams later › Like a scavenger hunt – found trash & treasure › Problem – wanted to throw out EVERY old thing › LMS had final say  May need to weed in secret  Check selection/collection development policy Encyclo-Media 28, September 18-19, 2008

 Library Media/ITV › html html  SUNLINK Weed of the Month ›  My del.icio.us – social bookmarking site ›  LM_Net – listserv for librarians ›  Wiki – NEW: share your questions, stories, & ideas – watch for updates › Encyclo-Media 28, September 18-19, 2008

Post your question on the wiki, call, or send an . Elaine Regier Encyclo-Media 28, September 18-19, 2008