Thanks to all who responded. I've only included the comments that were
sent directly to me and not those that were posted directly to the
listserv.
************
In regards to the question Is there another Civil War historian that has =
become prominent recently with the depth and breathe of coverage that =
these two older historians offer?=20
The answer is yes. A wonderful historian, author and man named James =
McPherson. Here is a link to info on him:=20
http://www.neh.gov/whoweare/mcpherson/meet.html
**********
I think you can safely weed those books. I would assume that they can be
obtained from a local public library or a university library if they are
absolutely needed for something. True, they won't be available as
quickly as if they are already on your shelves, but that can be said for
most books that have been printed.
I assume that you have an adequate number of newer Civil War books that
do circulate.
**********
My hardest section to weed is history. I can cheerfully remove almost
any other kind of book. So I'm not sending advice. I'm just
commiserating!
***********
I will be keeping Bruce Catton because of his stature as a historian. I
don't rely on circulation statistics too much for non-fiction. We have
a lot of classes that come to the library for research but the teacher
will not allow the books to be checked out -- so the students use the
index to get into their subject and take notes. This makes circulation
counts unreliable in my situation.
************
I pulled several Catton titles a few years ago. The reason? No one had read
them in 10 years. Also, my teachers would never assign it.
***********
Do you have weeding guidelines? Even so - hard to see a good reason for
discarding Catton's books as he is so well known and a Pulitizer prize
winner...maybe you could promote them to a new readership instead of
discarding them? Or at least hold on to "A stillness at Appomattox," if
you must discard.....
************
I'm no civil war buff but have read a lot of bks on
the subj., like Robt. Sneden's Eye of the Storm. That
Bruce Catton hasn't circulated since 1987 is an
incredible indictment of the reading tastes of the
current high school generation, isn't it? I suppose
if I were in your position & needed linear shelf
space, I might weed but otherwise, not. Despite the
circ stats. Good luck.
*************
There's no question Catton is the authoritative author on the Civil War....
and I still have them on my shelf. And I keep saying, "this is the last
year..."
How often do any 500+ page narrative non-fiction books - or biographies -
get checked out, these days?
I just can't sell them!
************
I just added Bruce Catton's donated titles to my high school library.
Almost none of my history titles get checked out, largely because no
teachers require students to read them. But that doesn't mean that the
next teacher who comes to our high school won't require them. If I were
teaching the Civil War, I would require readings from Catton. I am
going to weed my history collection, but I'm not weeding it based on
circulation--I'm weeding it based on utility. Much of what Catton
wrote, at least in my opinion, has not been superseded by his successors.
************
I can totally understand your dilemma. I also would like to weed his books
out of our library since they are never used. We have so many other books
on the Civil War that appeal to students (by virtue of their layout,
organization and pictures) that all of Catton's books are virtually
untouched. I know our history teachers would be very upset if I weeded
them out though so I am leaving them in. As you said he is a giant among
historians and probably many of today's books could not have been written
without his research.
Sorry I couldn't be of more help.
**************
I especially want to thank David for his response that directed me to an
article by Doug Johnson:
My philosophy is simple: When in doubt, throw it out.
But you don't have to take my word for it. Read this column by Doug
Johnson:
http://www.doug-johnson.com/dougwri/weed.html
***********************
Paul D. Birkby
Media Specialist
Penfield High School
25 High School Drive
Penfield, NY 14526
Paul_Birkby@penfield.monroe.edu
"I really didn't realize the librarians were, you know, such a dangerous
group. They are subversive. You think they're just sitting there at the
desk, all quiet and everything. They're like plotting the revolution, man.
I wouldn't mess with them." Michael Moore
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