Weeding with the CREW Method Stacy Lohman slohmanhspiritschool

Weeding with the CREW Method Stacy Lohman slohman@hspiritschool. org Holy Spirit School

Weeding (deselection) The process of removing books and other materials that are: n In dilapidated physical condition n Contain outdated or inaccurate information n Do not fit into the scope of the library’s collection

The CREW Method n Continuous n Review n. Evaluation n. Weeding

Reasons for Weeding n To save SPACE n To save TIME n To make the collection MORE APPEALING

Reasons for Weeding n To enhance the library’s reputation for realiability and up-todatedness

Reasons for Weeding n To provide a continuous check on the NEED FOR REPAIRS n To provide feedback on the collection’s STRENGTHS and WEAKNESSES

Obstacles to Weeding n Procrastination n Staff resistance n Negative reactions of users and administration n Reluctance to admit selection mistakes

Obstacles to Weeding n Time consuming n Cost n “Sacred” quality of books n FEAR n “Anything is better than nothing”

Before Weeding n Evaluate the collection n Become familiar with the library’s materials selection policy n Become familiar with goals for the collection

Other Considerations n Library’s role in the community n Needs and demands of users

Other Considerations n How a particular item relates to others on the same subject n Available Funds

Other Considerations n Cooperative agreements with other libraries n Library considered an archive or local history center? n Relying on ILL for discards

What to Weed n Books and materials of poor content n Books and materials of poor appearance n Unused materials

What to Weed n Topics no longer within the priorities of the collection

What to Weed n The MUSTIE Guidelines M = Misleading U = Ugly S = Superseded T = Trivial I = Irrelevant E = May be obtained Elsewhere

Weeding Criteria (all materials) n Date/Author n Publisher n Physical Condition n Additional copies

Weeding Criteria (all materials) n Shelf-time n Replacement expense n Relevance to the community n Other resources available

Weeding Criteria (Juvenile & YA) n Format n Reading level n Current interest in subject matter n Jacket art/ illustrations

Weeding Criteria (Periodicals) n Current Use n Available indexing n Available space n Alternate formats (e. g. , online databases)

Do Not Weed n Local history n Works by local authors n Works with local settings

Do Not Weed n Volumes of sets and series with special merit n Older reference works augmented by (not superceded by) later editions

Weeding Responsibility n The library media specialist makes the final judgment on what will be weeded.

Steps for Weeding (Before) n Make weeding a part of policy n Read shelves n Check the library’s holdings (inventory)

Steps for Weeding (During) n Gather usage statistics n Gather weeding tools n Examine the collection item by item n Check standard indexes

Steps for Weeding (After) n Treat books according to their slips n Order replacements n Promote with displays n Incorporate weeding into routine

Weeding Children’s Materials Types of Materials n Juvenile Fiction n Young Adult Fiction n Picture Books (easy readers) n Nonfiction

Weeding Children’s Materials Other Considerations n Simplified Classics (abridgements) n Series Books n Older Titles n Travel and Geography n Science, Medicine and Inventions n Text Books

Weeding Children’s Materials n Limited budgets make it impossible to develop extensive children’s collections n Concentrate on “best books” lists featured in library literature

Weeding Reference Materials Considerations n Older editions may be weeded when superceded n Materials should be periodically evaluated n Different replacement schedules

Weeding Reference Materials Types of Materials n Almanacs n Dictionaries n Directories n Atlases n Handbooks n Indexes

Weeding Nonbook Materials Types of Materials n Art Prints n Filmstrips n Videocassettes n Audiocassettes n Book/Tape Sets n CD-ROMs n Computer Disks

What to do with Weeded Materials n Rebind n Mend n Replace n Promote

What to do with Weeded Materials Disposal Methods n. Sell n. Donate n. Trade n. Recycle n. Destroy

Other Weeding Issues n Time Frames/Frequency n Sharing the Process n SUNLINK Weed-of-the-Month Club (www. sunlink. ucf. edu/weed)

Other Weeding Issues n Training and Education Arizona State Library -CD Module (www. lib. az. us/cdt/weeding. htm) Idaho’s Alternative Basic Education (ABLE) Program (www. lili. org/isl/cepage/ABLE. htm)

Start weeding today! It’s NEVER too late!