WHEN WEEDING

BECOMES A NECESSITY

. . . . . . .

Robert J. Bremer

Ellender Memorial Library

Nicholls State University

robert.bremer@nicholls.edu

Copyright Robert J. Bremer 2012

Weeding/Deselection: Defined . . .

▪ “The process of examining items in a library

collection title by title to identify for

permanent withdrawal those that meet pre-

established weeding criteria.”

▪ “In book and nonprint collections, the process

of identifying titles for weeding. In serials,

the process of identifying subscriptions for

cancellation.”

Online Dictionary for Library and Information Science by Joan Reitz

http://www.abc-clio.com/ODLIS/odlis_A.aspx (October 2012).

Why Weed? . . .

“Public libraries usually weed routinely

on the basis of circulation.

“In academic libraries, weeding is done less

frequently, usually only when the shelves

become overcrowded, in anticipation of a move

or an accreditation review, or when a significant

change occurs in curriculum.”

Serials are deselected “usually in response to

subscription price increases and budgetary

constraints.”

Online Dictionary for Library and Information Science http://www.abc-clio.com/ODLIS/odlis_A.aspx, “Weeding” & “Deselection” (October 2012).

How Weed? . . .

Factors considered in deciding whether an item

should be permanently removed from a library

collection …

▪ Condition, including physical appearance;

▪ Currency, when date of publication important

(e.g. textbooks, medical encyclopedias & travel guides);

▪ Usage, including duplicate copies;

▪ “Never” Content, with exceptions for “currency” &

“usage” … in academia, including ‘eliminated from

curriculum’ [& ‘no longer consistent with present knowledge/

understanding,’ if best examples of older thought retained].

Online Dictionary for Library and Information Science http://www.abc-clio.com/ODLIS/odlis_A.aspx, “Weeding” & “Deselection” (October 2012).

Why Not Weed?

It’s Politics . . .

▪ Someone’s Going to Object!

▪ Full Shelves Look Good!

▪ We’ve Got Better Things to Do!

If You Must Weed: Such as, for . . .

▪ A Reclassification Project –

˃ ˃ ˃

▪ Space for an Additional Collection –

+

If You Must Weed: Have a Plan . . .

▪ Have & follow a deselection plan, and

Let it evolve, if/as necessary;

▪ Be bold in disposing weeded items, not surreptitious;

▪ Give them away, if allowed;

▪ Throw them away, if must … as swiftly as

possible & in a covered dumpster;

▪ In Advance, notify “the Boss” of the

project (directly), and let the Community

know (thru the media) … a short what & why.

As You Weed: Be Complaint Ready . . .

▪ Anticipate a dumpster diver’s chatter or

a tipster and a zealot in need of a cause –

Stop The Throwing Away of Thousands of

Perfectly Good Books!

They are on all subjects, even Bibles. Some are old.

Some new. Poor people can use them. Only a

wasteland of empty shelves remains.

Sign This Petition Demanding This Disgusting Practice

End! Your Neighborhood Coalition

As You Weed: Be Complaint Ready [cont.]

▪ Have a written response ready to read or

hand to “Boss” & interested politicians.

▪ Have draft press release ready to be

completed to fit complaint(s).

▪ Expect the unanticipated and be ready to

respond to the misinformed & the

guessers … e.g., Bibles & empty shelves.

▪ Discourage with endless repetition . . . challenge to protect self (person & integrity) or

property (& on checking with attorney) –

“NO Bibles, Korans or other religious texts!”

When Weeding

Is a

Necessity

by

Robert J. Bremer, MLIS, JD

Ellender Memorial Library

Nicholls State University

robert.bremer@nicholls.edu

© 2012 Robert J. Bremer 10/5/12 With Thanks to the Creators of Photos & Clip Art

obtained through Google Images.