Common Questions About Weeding
Q: What is "weeding?"
A: Weeding is the deselection of books, journals,
or other such items from a library's collection. This process takes place
at all libraries on a regular basis. If libraries did not
"weed" materials then collections would quickly outgrow buildings.
Q: Why would a library discard timeless, valuable
classics?
A: It is a librarian’s job to not only build a collection but to maintain
it as well. The needs of the user (faculty
and students) population changes over time.
Many of the books that are tagged as “Withdrawal Candidates” often have
not been touched in 30 or 40 years. In
some cases they have never been checked out.
This is a good indication that these titles don’t fit the needs of our
users. In some cases these books may be
second copies, unpopular editions of a work, etc. This is why we need to look at them! At the same time we will examine a list of
“Preservation Candidates.” If we find
that these titles are actually preservation worthy due to rarity then we will
take measures to secure these titles to mitigate any further damage due to
handling, exposure to elements, etc.
Q: The library said that it is throwing away print books and replacing
with ebooks,
A: The library has not considered this option. Yes, we add ebooks all the time. We also continue to add print books. At this stage we add both. Since print storage space is more precious
than e storage space we have to make sure that we position the stacks for
continued growth of collections that fit current curriculum and needs.
Q: You said that you were only looking at books that never circulated in
my section; however, I see that the book has been stamped in the past which
clearly indicates it has been checked out.
A: Yes, some of the books we indicated as “never checked out” were
actually circulated. Our data can only
go back as far as the Notis system which predates our current Voyager
system. This means that it is possible
that a book that has not circulated prior to the mid-1980s will appear on our
list. Still a title that has not
circulated in 30 or 40 years deserves examination.
Q: Why are there so many books that have not been looked at in decades?
A: There can be any number of reasons.
It could be that some of these items were never destined for
greatness. Could be that faculty
interests and curriculum needs have changed over the years. There is no one answer.
Q: There are lots of books with yellow “Withdrawal Candidate”
flags. Are you going to remove all of
these books?
A: The answer is certainly not.
Remember these are “candidates” so once reviewed by campus faculty and
librarians many will be returned to their home in the stacks.
Q: How can I make sure we are using books?
A: For the academic library print book use is driven by
assignments. We encourage teaching
faculty to create assignments that require the use of books. The fact is that print book circulation
nationally has dropped from year to year.
This means that libraries slow down purchasing print books and
publishers hurt because libraries can’t or won’t buy as many books as in the
past.
Q: People don’t like ebooks!
A: While some people are resistant to ebooks this statement is not
accurate. The sale of ebooks has taken
off in the past couple of years, much of this due to improved ereaders and the
advent of the iPad.
