Weeding the Collection Katie Bradley Maurine Lucas Daniel O’Hara

Moonshine Public Library: The facts 6 librarians and 9 clerks on staff 6 librarians and 9 clerks on staff Book trucks in the business area as temporary shelving units Book trucks in the business area as temporary shelving units Haven’t weeded the collection in at least 7 years Haven’t weeded the collection in at least 7 years Need to make “Implementation Plan” Need to make “Implementation Plan”

The Library Itself Governed by a Board of Trustees Governed by a Board of Trustees 25,000 square foot building 25,000 square foot building 150,000+ books 150,000+ books 50 Magazine and newsletter subscriptions 50 Magazine and newsletter subscriptions 4,400 video recordings 4,400 video recordings 1,500 compact discs 1,500 compact discs 3,000 DVDs 3,000 DVDs 20 on-line data bases 20 on-line data bases

Why do we need to Weed? Our patrons need accurate information Our patrons need accurate information No library is large enough to keep everything No library is large enough to keep everything It makes it easier for people to find what they want It makes it easier for people to find what they want The way the library looks is important The way the library looks is important It makes economic sense. It makes economic sense. From

6 advantages from Weeding 1. Saving Space 2. Saving time of the patron and staff 3. Making the library more appealing 4. Enhancing the reputation of the collection for reputability and currency 5. Providing information about what items need to be repaired or replaced 6. Providing feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of the collection From “weed to achieve: a fundamental part of the public library”

Frequency to weed (out of 294 libraries) Irregular (when needed)97 (33%) Irregular (when needed)97 (33%) Ongoing (continuous)70 (23.8%) Ongoing (continuous)70 (23.8%) Yearly48 (16.3%) Yearly48 (16.3%) Every two years18 (6.1%) Every two years18 (6.1%) Monthly 14 (4.8%) Monthly 14 (4.8%) Weekly or daily12 (4.1%) Weekly or daily12 (4.1%) Bi-annually8 (2.7%) Bi-annually8 (2.7%) Every three years7 (2.4%) Every three years7 (2.4%) Every five years4 (1.4%) Every five years4 (1.4%) Every four years3 (1%) Every four years3 (1%) Uncategorizable or no answer13 (4.4%) Uncategorizable or no answer13 (4.4%) From “weed to achieve: a fundamental part of the public library”

How do we get the Public and Staff on the Library’s side? Advanced planning Advanced planning Set some criteria Set some criteria Be sure everyone involved in the weeding process knows the library's mission. Be sure everyone involved in the weeding process knows the library's mission. Respect the books in the collection. Respect the books in the collection. Use common sense in weeding and try to avoid a situation where you have to weed hundreds of items. Use common sense in weeding and try to avoid a situation where you have to weed hundreds of items. From

Reaction of weeding (out of 284 libraries) No complaints158 (56%) No complaints158 (56%) Complained that particular items were missing34 (12.1%) Complained that particular items were missing34 (12.1%) Complained about books being found in the dumpster21 (7.4%) Complained about books being found in the dumpster21 (7.4%) Complained about library not keeping everything17 (6%) Complained about library not keeping everything17 (6%) Complained that weeded books were a waste of taxpayers’ money15 (5.3%) Complained that weeded books were a waste of taxpayers’ money15 (5.3%) Complained that they did not understand the concept of weeding12 (4.3%) Complained that they did not understand the concept of weeding12 (4.3%) Complained about the library getting rid of “perfectly good books”10 (3.5%) Complained about the library getting rid of “perfectly good books”10 (3.5%) Complained that donated material was weeded5 (1.8%) Complained that donated material was weeded5 (1.8%) Complained about throwing out “classics”4 (1.4%) Complained about throwing out “classics”4 (1.4%) Complained that there was too little weeding4 (1.4%) Complained that there was too little weeding4 (1.4%) Complained about empty shelves after weeding2 (0.7%) Complained about empty shelves after weeding2 (0.7%)

Our Survey Our library would give out a survey on to find out the following information Our library would give out a survey on to find out the following information –What areas are used the most (and thus weeded first) –What patrons want to see changed –What are the patrons indirect reaction to weeding

Reasons for weeding Need to maintain accuracy of information240 Need to maintain accuracy of information240 Physical condition of item208 Physical condition of item208 Space considerations188 Space considerations188 Low circulation of item169 Low circulation of item169 Duplicate copies exist76 Duplicate copies exist76 Need to keep the library as a current and vital resource74 Need to keep the library as a current and vital resource74 Age/copyright dates26 Age/copyright dates26 Superseded editions25 Superseded editions25 Gain more knowledge of library collection17 Gain more knowledge of library collection17 Beyond collection scope of library8 Beyond collection scope of library8 Availability of item in alternate format6 Availability of item in alternate format6 Increases circulation and turnover rate5 Increases circulation and turnover rate5 Unacceptable stereotypes or sexist terminology3 Unacceptable stereotypes or sexist terminology3 Multiple answers allowed From “weed to achieve: a fundamental part of the public library” and also out of 294 libraries

Reasons for not weeding Time107 Time107 Hesitancy in weeding local history materials53 Hesitancy in weeding local history materials53 Hesitancy in weeding “classics”41 Hesitancy in weeding “classics”41 Reluctance due to fear that item might be needed in the future37 Reluctance due to fear that item might be needed in the future37 No factors discourage weeding35 No factors discourage weeding35 No money to replace weeded books34 No money to replace weeded books34 Hesitancy in weeding out-of-print books25 Hesitancy in weeding out-of-print books25 Hesitancy in weeding one-of-a-kind books (i.e., only book on a particular subject)19 Hesitancy in weeding one-of-a-kind books (i.e., only book on a particular subject)19 Vocal public opposition by members of general public and elected officials18 Vocal public opposition by members of general public and elected officials18 Hesitancy in weeding “hard to replace” materials16 Hesitancy in weeding “hard to replace” materials16 Hesitancy in weeding “high-demand” items even if such items are in poor condition 15 Hesitancy in weeding “high-demand” items even if such items are in poor condition 15 Hesitancy in weeding donated/memorial items10 Hesitancy in weeding donated/memorial items10 Lack of staff6 Lack of staff6 No storage space available for weeded materials6 No storage space available for weeded materials6 Inclusion in standardized lists such as Public Library Catalog5 Inclusion in standardized lists such as Public Library Catalog5 State standards require x amount of books per population served or funding formula3 State standards require x amount of books per population served or funding formula3 Multiple answered allowed From “weed to achieve: a fundamental part of the public library” Also out of 294 libraries.

Preparing the plan –Decide the techniques to use for initial data gathering –Select the individuals to be involved as part of the planning committee –Establish the timeline for the project –Gather the initial data and format it to best inform the committee & others –Prepare the board, staff and planning committee From

The CREW Method C ontinuous C ontinuous n R eview n E valuation n W eeding

Identifying the possibilities –Through discussion & group process determine a community vision –Identify community needs necessary to achieve the vision From

Inventing the future –Librarian, staff and board engage in discussions and draft goals –Librarian and staff identify preliminary activities –Librarian, staff and board determine resource requirements From

Moving into the future –Librarian and board allocate or reallocate resources –Monitor implementation –Evaluate outcomes –Start the weeding process over From

Shelving Guidelines of the Moonshine Public Library Top and bottom shelves should be empty. Other shelves should only be three-quarters full Stacks should not be close together to meet accessibility guidelines. Library seating should meet quantity recommended for a library serving our size.

Adult Collection Materials These materials will be retained if they are : Historically significant Timeless Regularly demanded by patrons Materials will weeded if: Room is need for newer titles Material is outdated and room is needed for newer titles Material is in poor condition The material is easily available to patrons through other libraries or through electronic resources

Retention of Databases and Electronic Resources These resources will be retained if they: Regularly used by patrons Provide advantages over comparable print resources Provide quality and uniqueness of information Provide depth of coverage Provide accurate information Provide an interface that encourages effective use

Audiovisual Materials Audiovisual Materials These materials will retained if: They are regularly checked out by patrons They are in good condition They have expected long term use They are useful to hearing impaired people These materials will be weeded if: They have not been regularly checked out by patrons They are damaged and need to be replaced by newer editions Multiple copies of the item exist The information for the last 3 slides have come from the Collection Development Plans of the libraries of River Forest, Morton Grove and Franklin Park respectively

Circulation Statistics From

5 Year Plan From

5 Year Collection Development and Weeding Plan Example #1 Area to AddressYearsYears , PB F, SC, SF, Biography, AV Example # REF B / From

What do we do with the weeded material? DON’T Make your weeded books a problem for someone else Make your weeded books a problem for someone else Keep weeded books Keep weeded books Create a safety hazard by piling books Create a safety hazard by piling books If you are to throw out books do not throw them out all at once. Throw them out in stages. (And the day before garbage pick up preferably) If you are to throw out books do not throw them out all at once. Throw them out in stages. (And the day before garbage pick up preferably)

What do we do with the weeded material? (2) DO  Donate  Recycle  Give to other libraries (school libraries, speciality libraries etc)  Give away free  Send to exchange book programs  Sell to book dealers and online  Book Sales at the Library

Fate of weeded item Friends of the Library (FOL) book sales154 Friends of the Library (FOL) book sales154 Trashed124 Trashed124 Ongoing in-house sales (not FOL)116 Ongoing in-house sales (not FOL)116 Donated72 Donated72 Recycled52 Recycled52 Given to other libraries32 Given to other libraries32 Storage31 Storage31 Offered free to the public6 Offered free to the public6 Send to exchange book programs4 Send to exchange book programs4 Sell to book dealers and eBay auction marketplace4 Sell to book dealers and eBay auction marketplace4 From “weed to achieve: a fundamental part of the public library” Also out of 294 libraries

THE END Any Questions?