I have been inspired by everybody's tales of weeding. I am working through the
fiction section and am already done w/ A through C. I have tons of books pulled!
This is my 3rd year here, so I feel more confident that I am doing the right thing.
I had weeded before, more in the 500s and the easy section, but this time I am
merciless- anything pre-1990 that is not a classic, not on Reading Counts, and
doesn't get checked out. This has caused me to weed books by some authors that I
feel a little weird about, like Betsy Byars and John Bellairs vintage 1970s/1980s,
Paddington novels, etc. Many or all (I got tired of second guessing myself and
looking on the computer) of these have never been checked out since we were
automated in the early 1990s, so they are just taking up space.
Whoever said upthread that having all those books taking up space makes it harder
for kids to find books they want is right. Reading all the responses here, and
thinking about how my intermediate students have been complaining lately about
having a hard time finding a book they're interested in, has caused me to get out
of my rut and get to work!
At my school, after we deaccession library materials, teachers get first choice,
then we let each student choose one, or more depending on how many materials we
have. This seems to work well, and the teachers don't seem to mind the weeding so
much, knowing the kids will be getting the books. They seem to understand that
these books have a much better chance of being read when they are taken home than
they did gathering dust on the shelves.
Only a librarian could enjoy weeding as much as I have today!
Jennifer Davidson
jdavidson@solomon393.k12.ks.us
Library Media Specialist
Solomon Elementary
Solomon, KS
-----Original Message-----
From: School Library Media & Network Communications
[mailto:LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU]On Behalf Of Anthony C. Doyle
Sent: Monday, April 04, 2005 11:53 AM
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Re: [LM_NET] Weeding
--original post--
"I know to leave all award winners alone (or upgrade), but..."
----
I wouldn't assume that an award winner automatically deserves a spot in
your library. How many of us have copies of _Gay-Neck: the story of a
pigeon_ (1928 Newberry)? Very few of my students would even give it a
second glance just based on the cover. Other award winners, like
_Indian in the Cupboard_ (discussed previously on this list) may contain
stereotypes or other offensive content. And not all Pulitzer, National
Book Award or even ALA Best Books winners are appropriate for every library.
Any list of "classics" is going to be subjective. A prerequisite to
weeding is knowing your school and your curriculum. My first couple of
years here I only weeded the disintegrating, moldy, and obviously
inappropriate/useless books (_Open Marriage: a new lifestyle for
couples_ being my favorite...ahhh, to have been a librarian in the 70s).
After a few years you get a feel for the school and get a hold of
English department reading lists and learn what teachers require and
recommend. Then you can really weed.
----
Tony Doyle, Librarian
Livingston High School, Livingston, CA
tdoyle@muhsd.k12.ca.us
<Http://www.lhs.muhsd.k12.ca.us/library/index.htm>
"You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get
people to stop reading them."-- Ray Bradbury
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