Re: Weeding

["Global SchoolNet Fdn (FrEdMail)" <lmnet-l@ACME.FRED.ORG>]

Although weeding has been discussed at some length and is a perennial
concern, having just completed my annual used book sale, I think it is
interesting that the relative criteria of each library has not been
mentioned.  I was lucky enough to visit Hawaii about 5 years ago and
visited a public library.  Naturally, I couldn't resist their table of
used books and purchased several beautiful picture books that had been
discarded for minor tears or signs of use.  I carried these books back in
my suitcase and added them to our school library collection!  At 50 cents
apiece I considered them one of my cultural "finds" from the island.  Of
course I picked only the best titles and the least worn, and when a
library is adding new materials others usually have to go.  After weeding
a book for every new book for 5 years, I am still weeding much older and
worn books than those I got in Hawaii, but this year was a banner year in
that some of the titles that went were Thimble Summer, and a book of
poems by Lilian Moore, and Return to Gone Away Lake and The Moffats!
These titles are not being read due to age and condition.  I tried to
point them out to our new teachers as possible read alouds for their
libraies.  Teachers get first shot at our discards and then we sell them
for 10 cents apiece.  I didn't have as many books this year, but still
made $85!  I use the money for book related stuffed animals and
puppets...a popular collection that I find more difficult to justify with
library funds that purchase the replacements for the discards.  With our
internet connections and our email...we are likely the richest of
schools, in practice if not in dollars, can we really say that a discard
from one collection can not be a treasure in another?  I am including the
children's personal collections in this comparison.  I sell at only a
dime and limit purchase to 5 books.  Some get around this by sharing
their money with friends, or returning more than once, but I don't worry
about it.  Those who mourn the loss of any book from the collections just
have different criteria than we must as libraians responsible that the
collection serve the patrons!!!  BTW  I like the idea of asking for
donations of kids books from the community...may be a good fund raiser
for next year!  Sorry I can't muse more succinctly.  Ellen
 
<edibble@spencer.uiuc.fred.org> ---------------- 39.17.30N, 86.46.30E
Ellen Dibble           "We are touched by the ocean, yet remain on
Media Specialist        the shore of what we know."
Spencer Elementary  (K-5)     Spencer, Indiana
 
<edibble@spencer.uiuc.fred.org> ---------------- 39.17.30N, 86.46.30E
Ellen Dibble           "We are touched by the ocean, yet remain on
Media Specialist        the shore of what we know."
Spencer Elementary  (K-5)     Spencer, Indiana