GEN: November Weed of the Month

[Carol McWilliams <mcwillia_c@popmail.firn.edu>]

Dear LM_NETters,
The November Weed of the Month Club collection area is Africa.

Many school media collections contain materials on Africa that are
primarily biased, dated, and inaccurate.  The political geography of Africa
has experienced many changes in the past decades, and your library may
contain travel and description materials on countries that do not even
exist today, such as Rhodesia.

Examine materials by reviewing both the text and illustrations.  Africa is
a huge land area with diverse vegetation zones and ethnic groups.  Be aware
of materials which refer to ethnic groups as tribes, when in fact African
peoples are culturally unified by their language just as ethnic groups are
in other world regions.  The term tribes implies a primitive and
uncivilized people. Look for other terms that are viewed as outmoded and/or
pejorative such as: Bantu, Bushmen, Dark Continent, Hottentot, huts,
primitive, Pygmies, and witchdoctor. Illustrations and suggested activities
should not reinforce negative stereotypes such as shield making projects.
Check to see if you only have materials on Nelson Mandela that describe him
as still in prison.

Check Dewey numbers such as: 960-969; 916; 398.2; 496.  Remember to examine
related biographies, reference materials, AV materials, maps, and globes.

We're sure that LM_NETters will think of other things to consider when
weeding the Africa sections of your library.  Please share your thoughts
with the list so all can benefit. Also share the outdated, inaccurate
titles you may find, as well as wonderful new titles you wish to recommend.

As part of the SUNLINK Web site, there are pages devoted to the Weed of the
Month Club. October's topic, Native Americans, is now on the web site.
Take a peek at suggested titles to weed, to consider for replacement
purchases, and comments from lm_netters.  Depending on the browser you are
using, titles suggested by lm_netters are indicated by a different color
bullet. September's topic, Space and Astronomy, is available through the
Weed of the Month archives.

To find the  SUNLINK Weed of the Month pages:
http://www.sunlink.ucf.edu/weed/

Watch LM_NET for an announcement at the beginning of each month with a new
Weed of the Month topic! And remember to check the SUNLINK Weed of the
Month pages for the posting of the previous month's topic.

Comments or questions about our Web pages may be made directly to me at the
email address below or to SUNLINK@mail.firn.edu.  Discussions about the
Weed of the Month topic, Africa, will be appreciated by the LM_NET
community and should go to the listserv.

--
Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be
chewed--Francis Bacon  ...and some should just be weeded!

Carol McWilliams
mcwillia_c@popmail.firn.edu
Assistant director, SUNLINK
Florida's K-12 Library Union Database
http://www.sunlink.ucf.edu

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