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Contain outdated or inaccurate information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S = Superseded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Older reference works augmented by (not superceded by) later editions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

SellDonateTradeRecycleDestroy

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!