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Weeding with the CREW Method. Belinda Boon bboon@tsl.state.tx.us Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Weeding ( culling, deselection ). The process of removing books and other materials that are: In dilapidated physical condition Contain outdated or inaccurate information
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Weeding with the CREW Method Belinda Boon bboon@tsl.state.tx.us Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Weeding (culling, deselection) The process of removing books and other materials that are: • In dilapidated physical condition • Contain outdated or inaccurate information • Do not fit into the scope of the library’s collection
The CREW Method • Continuous • Review • Evaluation • Weeding
Reasons for Weeding • To save SPACE • To save TIME • To make the collection MORE APPEALING
Reasons for Weeding • To enhance the library’s reputation for realiability and up-to-datedness
Reasons for Weeding • To provide a continuous check on the NEED FOR REPAIRS • To provide feedback on the collection’s STRENGTHS and WEAKNESSES
Obstacles to Weeding • Procrastination • Staff resistance • Negative reactions of users and administration • Reluctance to admit selection mistakes
Obstacles to Weeding • Time consuming • Cost • “Sacred” quality of books • FEAR • “Anything is better than nothing”
Before Weeding • Evaluate the collection • Become familiar with the library’s materials selection policy • Become familiar with goals for the collection
Other Considerations • Library’s role in the community • Needs and demands of users
Other Considerations • How a particular item relates to others on the same subject • Available Funds
Other Considerations • Cooperative agreements with other libraries • Library considered an archive or local history center? • Relying on ILL for discards
What to Weed • Books and materials of poor content • Books and materials of poor appearance • Unused materials
What to Weed • Topics no longer within the priorities of the collection
What to Weed • The MUSTIE Guidelines M=Misleading U = Ugly S = Superseded T = Trivial I = Irrelevant E = May be obtained Elsewhere
Weeding Criteria (all materials) • Date/Author • Publisher • Physical Condition • Additional copies
Weeding Criteria (all materials) • Shelf-time • Replacement expense • Relevance to the community • Other resources available
Weeding Criteria (Juvenile & YA) • Format • Reading level • Current interest in subject matter • Jacket art/ illustrations
Weeding Criteria (Periodicals) • Current Use • Available indexing • Available space • Alternate formats (e.g., online databases)
Do Not Weed • Local history • Works by local authors • Works with local settings
Do Not Weed • Volumes of sets and series with special merit • Older reference works augmented by (not superceded by) later editions
Weeding Responsibility • The library media specialist makes the final judgment on what will be weeded.
Steps for Weeding (Before) • Make weeding a part of policy • Read shelves • Check the library’s holdings (inventory)
Steps for Weeding (During) • Gather usage statistics • Gather weeding tools • Examine the collection item by item • Check standard indexes
Steps for Weeding (After) • Treat books according to their slips • Order replacements • Promote with displays • Incorporate weeding into routine
Weeding Children’s Materials Types of Materials • Juvenile Fiction • Young Adult Fiction • Picture Books (easy readers) • Nonfiction
Weeding Children’s Materials Other Considerations • Simplified Classics (abridgements) • Series Books • Older Titles • Travel and Geography • Science, Medicine and Inventions • Text Books
Weeding Children’s Materials • Limited budgets make it impossible to develop extensive children’s collections • Concentrate on “best books” lists featured in library literature
Weeding Reference Materials Considerations • Older editions may be weeded when superceded • Materials should be periodically evaluated • Different replacement schedules
Weeding Reference Materials Types of Materials • Almanacs • Dictionaries • Directories • Atlases • Handbooks • Indexes
Weeding Nonbook Materials Types of Materials • Art Prints • Filmstrips • Videocassettes • Audiocassettes • Book/Tape Sets • CD-ROMs • Computer Disks
What to do with Weeded Materials • Rebind • Mend • Replace • Promote
What to do with Weeded Materials Disposal Methods • Sell • Donate • Trade • Recycle • Destroy
Other Weeding Issues • Time Frames/Frequency • Sharing the Process • SUNLINK Weed-of-the-Month Club (www.sunlink.ucf.edu/weed)
Other Weeding Issues • 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!