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deselection) The process of removing books and other materials that are: In dilapidated physical condition Contain outdated or inaccurate information Do not fit into the scope of the library’s collection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What to Weed The MUSTIE Guidelines M = Misleading U = Ugly S = Superseded T = Trivial I = Irrelevant E = May be obtained Elsewhere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Do Not Weed Volumes of sets and series with special merit Older reference works augmented by (not superceded by) later editions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!