Re: Elem: To weed or not to weed?

[Shonda Brisco <sbrisco021@CHARTER.NET>]

Jan,
    You might check with the CFA publisher to see if the new CFA is a
reprint of the original.  Most of the time they will tell you over the
phone.  If it isn't, then you might consider trying to purchase the new
editions--if you have the money.  If you don't have the money, I have
learned (from experience) that if the majority of the information in those
books can be utilized (and is accurate), then they should be kept as a
resources AS you continue to update the biographies.  If over 50% of those
biographies covered are not valid or inaccurate (or useless for research by
your students), then you might feel more comfortable tossing them and
replacing them with more up-to-date titles that the kids will use. (Make a
list of the biographies covered in those books so you'll know what you
tossed and can replace them with a better reference sources....there will be
SOMEONE--usually an older teacher-- who used those books and if you toss
them without anything to replace them, they'll forever remind you that there
was something they used and you threw it away!)

I would definitely review the books' subject matter to see what might be
outdated and what is "really necessary" for research by your students.  It's
a long task, but I've done it with several libraries that were outdated and
found that despite the outdated photographs depicting "today," most of the
information in my reference books could still be used while I updated them.

Despite the access to information through the Internet (which I know some
schools still don't have enough access to in their libraries--especially in
Oklahoma ---I've been there for most of my life and know from personal and
professional experience), you may not have enough time or computer access to
do this type of biography research online.  I also know that sometimes you
still need something to give the students (and sometimes, calm the teachers
when they find out you have "nothing" because you tossed out the older
editions hoping to replace them with something newer...sometime later).
When you offer the older titles, make sure you explain that the materials
are still accurate and provide supplemental research materials (even online)
if you choose to keep them while you prepare for future purchases.

Again, just as a "caution" from experience....don't toss everything at once
if you can't replace it.  Despite computer access, if you don't have other
reference works available or multiple copies, it's better to have old,
accurate information (even in the bottom shelves behind your desk while
you're waiting for the new ones to arrive), than nothing when they come
looking in your library.  (By the way....when the new stuff arrives, feel
free to toss the older stuff!) *grin*

Just my two cents....

Shonda Brisco
(former Okie--Assistant Professor, OSU, Stillwater)
now Librarian / Teacher
FWISD
Ft. Worth, TX
sbrisco021@charter.net


----- Original Message -----
From: "Clay Cole" <rccole@TEXHOMA.NET>
To: <LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU>
Sent: Friday, December 07, 2001 5:17 PM
Subject: Elem: To weed or not to weed?


> We're in the beginning stages of automating! Yea!  However I have a =
> couple of questions about the Childhood of Famous Americans Biography =
> series.
>
> Ours were published in 1968.  We have a lot of them and I've not been =
> able to update all of the famous people they cover.  Should I weed them =
> or not?
>
> I notice there are newer editions of CFA.  Are they just a reprint or =
> are they different from the old ones?
>
> Of course I need your collective wisdom asap.
>
> TIA
> Jan Cole
> LMS
> Horace Mann Elementary School
> Duncan, OK
>
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