Collection Evaluation and Weeding

Georgia Southern University

FRIT 7732

Dr. S. A. Jones

We are NOT the Museum

of the Book!

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Weeding definition

Removing items from the

collection based on specific

criteria.

Packed shelves

are NOT what our users want to see.

and dead links

Why Evaluate and Weed?

• Save time

• Save space

• Learn about your collection’s

strengths and weaknesses

• Ensure access to current,

accurate and relevant

information

Having something is NOT

always better than having

nothing!

Collection Evaluation

• Collection-centered measures– Curriculum alignment with CCGPS– Collection mapping– Examining the collection directly– Age analysis

• Use-centered measures– Circulation /in library use – User opinion surveys

Collection Assessment –

Analyzing What You Have

By uploading MARC records from the library’s automated system to one of the vendor analysis sites, you can receive reports by Dewey 100s and 10s and other classifications prefixes like F or REF, on:

Number of titles or percentages of the collection

Average age data and titles by decade

Age “sensitivity”

Comparisons to other “benchmark” collections

NOTE: NO usage data, only collection data

Some Companies that offer FREE

Collection Analysis Services

Follett Library Resources

Mackin

Bound to Stay Bound

Capstone

or check with your book jobber

Understand that vendors provide this service

because they want your business.

Additionally, they provide a searchable

database of titles they sell.

Collection Assessment –

Analyzing Usage

Using data from the circulation system, you

can print reports on:

Circulation/in-library or in-classroom use

Comparing use annually or by call numbers

Monitoring use by patron type, grade level,

etc.

All this by Dewey 100s and 10s and other

classification prefixes like F, REF, etc.

NOTE: Usage data, some collection data

MUSTYMisleading (No more Bush as the

current president!)

Ugly (Visual inspection)

Superseded (No more 1999 Guinness Book of World Records!)

Trivial (Biography of Mark McGwire anybody?)

Your collection

The FearsToo busy

Books are sacred

Might be needed by somebody, sometime

Numbers—current rules do NOT require this!

Admitting a selection mistake

Destruction of public property

What about...

Classics

Ok to keep but check for

newer, more appealing

editions

School history--Keep

Local history--Keep

Textbooks--Discard

The really big issue

How and where do you discard the materials you weed?

Optionso Give to teachers for classroom use

(with caution)

o Donate items to others (schools or organizations)

o Book sale

o Recycle

Before you do anything check your school/district policy and check with

your administration!

http://cdn.homedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/LibraryDeskMadefromBooks2.jpg

A circulation desk made of books:A way to weed your books and keep them too!