[ISLMA-Share] ALA guidelines to weeding

[Email list for the Illinois School Library Media Association]

Here are some take aways from  Collection Development course notes I have that give a brief review on Weeding principles that might be helpful. Consider using your automation software to run usage reports that you can use to backup your decision to weed materials.

Here is a PDF of ALA's guide for small libraries wishing to manage collections located online:  http://www.ala.org/offices/sites/ala.org.offices/files/content/publishing/editions/samplers/doll_mayc.pdf <http://www.ala.org/offices/sites/ala.org.offices/files/content/publishing/editions/samplers/doll_mayc.pdf>





Bobbie Kocim
Salt Creek 48, Retired


There are several general approaches to weeding:

    * Subjective weeding is the most common form of weeding. It involves rules, principles and guides that are implemented in a subjective 			manner by the person weeding.
    * Age is used to remove books according to the date of imprint, copyright, or acquisition. Age is often used to assist with the subjective 			method of weeding.
    * Curriculum-related weeding is most often used in colleges and universities, but is also used in elementary and high school collections. Titles 		are removed that no longer are relate directly to courses taught.
    * Shelf-time period is the length of time a book remains unused between circulations. This method is often used to assist in the subjective 			method of weeding.
    * Mathematical approaches involve quantifying certain variables and computing them into a formula or equation. False assumptions can lead 		to invalid and rigid decision making.
    * Combined criteria uses shelf-time period and imprint date or other combination of criteria to determine weeding policy. It is most used along 		with subjective weeding. 

The three major criteria for weeding are physical condition, qualitative worth, and quantitative worth. Based on these principles, the following materials may be candidates for weeding:

    * Duplicates
    * Unsolicited and unwanted gifts
    * Obsolete books, especially science and computer science
    * Superseded editions
    * Books that are infested, dirty, shabby, worn out, yellowed pages, etc.
    * Unused or unneeded volumes or sets 

The CREW Method: Expanded Guidelines for Collection Evaluation and Weeding for Small and Medium-Sized Public Libraries, revised and updated by Belinda Boon for the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, Austin, Texas, 2008 offers a helpful list of negative factors (MUSTIE) - that can determine the usefulness of a collection item:








> On Oct 11, 2016, at 9:03 AM, Email list for the Illinois School Library Media Association <islma at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:
> 
> 
> Hi
> 
> Can someone point me to a page on ALA's website guidelines for weeding?
> 
> I can only find them pointing to books they sell. 
> 
> 
> Thank you
> -- 
> Lori McGreal
> Library Media Specialist
> Lincoln Hall Middle School
> 6950 N. East Prairie Road
> Lincolnwood, IL 60712
> Phone: 847-745-3843
> lmcgreal at sd74.org <mailto:lmcgreal at sd74.org>
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