Skip to main content

Review: Weeding School Library Collections

This website is specifically geared to school libraries, with a few different tabs about the weeding process, with basic explanations of what weeding is, and why it needs to be done. The "What is Weeding" section gives a short explanation of what weeding is, along with two documents full explaining the process along with a short video about weeding. I found this helpful as it allows a few different resources to make sure it is fully explained. The "why" section is a bit shorter, offering just a few bullet points on why weeding is important. 

Along with this the "Who" and "When" sections are also short, with a few bullet points explaining the bare bones of these areas of weeding. The "How" section is very detailed, with several links going off with further detail about different aspects of weeding. There is a handy flowchart explaining how one would go about weeding, and two different collection policies to show how other libraries deal with weeding. They also have a section dealing with library patron complaints, explaining how to handle them and to see how valid these complaints might be.

This website is an alright resource for weeding, giving good basic information on weeding, and the links they provide are also very helpful. However, it does not seem like there is much information that would be specific to school libraries. 

https://natlib.govt.nz/schools/school-libraries/collections-and-resources/weeding-your-school-library-collection

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Review: State Library of Iowa, Weeding and Maintenance

This website is by the State Library of Iowa and gives a short explanation of collection management, and why it is important to both libraries and library patrons. It outlines the conditions that a book should be weeded, such as age, condition, or how long it has been since the book has been checked out. It also outlines the CREW method of weeding, giving an outside link to a more in-depth explanation of the CREW method. The last part of the page focuses on the disposal method that the State Library of Iowa uses, this part is written with slightly more jargon that the first part of the page, though is still fairly readable to an average person. It notes places where the library is or is not allowed to donate their books, for example, the library cannot donate public library books to private organizations even if they are non-profits, and that all discarded books must be sold even if "for a nominal fee". This is an interesting resource and would be more helpful for libr

Website Review: Discover Books

A major factor of weeding a collection is what to do with books after they are removed from circulation. This website is dedicated to keeping books out of landfills. To do this they reuse, resell, or recycle books. Libraries can discard books through this company and they will find a place for the books. Collection bins can be placed near a library to routinely dropped off books for collection or can be collected at no cost to the library. This is a great resource for libraries to use to help manage discarded material. The website is easy to use and has information about their program and company readily available. Books can also be purchased directly from the website, if you are looking to buy books. The “How This Works” page has a great infographic describing the process that the company uses to reuse, resell or recycle to keep books out of landfills and help the environment. Overall this is a good website to pass along discarded material. https://www.discoverbooks.com

Interviews- New England Libraries: Sally

New England Libraries Interview questions for weeding: Interview with Sally 1. Who is responsible for weeding the collection and how is the collection divided? Adult collection, Non-Fiction and Reference – Head of Reference and Technical Services Adult collection, Fiction and Audio Visual – Assistant Director/Head of Circulation YA collection – Assistant Director/Head of Circulation Children’s collection – Assistant Director/Head of Circulation Follow up: Is there anyone who assists in bring books to your attention for consideration? The collection is divided to assign staff to bring to items their supervisor’s attention for consideration. 2. Is there a set schedule for weeding? One afternoon a week is dedicated to look at material pulled for consideration. This works well and is a continual process.   3. Do you have a method that you use, like CREW? No, we do not use a specific method. 4. What is your criteria for weeding? Material is weeded b