Thanks to everyone who replied. I'm posting these here, but if anyone would like
the word document, drop me an email and I will send it to you.
Most people seem to be going a little longer than I was thinking. 5 years without
a checkout seems to be a common number used, I'll probably start weeding using that
and see what my shelves look like.
I'll throw in my currently reading here also: The Outstretched Shadow by Mercedes
Lackey and James Mallory. It is a fun read, a fantasy with a very well developed
system of magic. I have it in my library at the high school here.
What is the copyright date? Consider that as well. And not checked out in two
years? Maybe wait another year at least unless the copy is worn and battered.
Weeding also should include consideration of the copyright. But all weeding is
also personal to the use of the school.
Have you done a collection analysis with Mackin? You might wish to try it. It is
fantastic and gives you a title list for wedding consideration based on the age of
the book. It is FREE. So, go to www.mackin.com, register, click on Collection
Analysis and begin the process. You need to upload a copy of your catalog to them
for it to work, of course. If you need help, just call them. They answer the
phone and will walk you through the process.
I was trained that 5 years was a good point to throw stuff, but then I probably
aren't ruthless enough either. The only place I go for a shorter period of time is
the non-fiction Science. There I usually go with 3 years...
I am weeding fiction in my jr high right now, Amy, and my formula is something
like: No circs at all? Put it out on display. If it's been two to four years since
it last circulated, put it on a list to booktalk. Five years or more? Pull it.
I understand what you're going through! I have Follett Circ+ so I ran a
circulation report for any fiction books that had not been checked out since 2002
(5 years) as a starting place and pulled them. As I
took them off the shelf I double-checked the Date Due slip in the book to get an
idea of when they might have actually last been read -- I found one last dated 1968
and another with 1962 -- pretty scary. I have removed more than 500 of my fiction
titles. My principal commented one day on the stack of books I have on my side
counter and I told her what those books were. She was VERY surprised that I even
thought about reducing the collection. I told her I would rather have empty
shelves with books that are checked out than packed shelves with only a few titles
going out. Everyone has commented on how nice the shelves look now and I am seeing
more different titles going out,
now that the students can really look at what's on the shelf. I plan to start
attacking my very outdated non-fiction section in the spring.
When I do weeding, I consider a number of things. When was is purchased, when was
it last circulated, since date of purchase how often has it been circulated. I
take all those things into consideration. ie: I have a book that was purchased in
1985, only checked out 3 times since then but they were in 2003 & 2004. I chose to
weed....I think it should have been checked out more often than 3 times in the last
22 years! My rule of thumb is older than 10 years and has little to no
circulations withing the past 5 years then need to think about weeding it. It
isn't fool-proof but it is a start. Our public library is only 3 blocks away so I
can always recommend that they walk there with their parents to get a particular
book.
I usually look at 5 years. If it hasn't circulated in that time, I then check
against standards lists like Senior H.S. Library Catalog, etc. If not still
listed, I weed.
Save the Newbery titles, even if they are not read. Check circ stats,
shape of book, and cover pictures. My collection has lots of old junk and some
really decent-still read-older titles.
I'd definitely go further back, easily 10 years.
I ususally use five years as the weed date. I figure if it hasn't been checked out
in that amount of time, it won't be.
I have no hard rules for weeding fiction; however, I would not discard a book
simply because it had not been read in 2 years. I'd give it 5 at least, unless I
was really desperate for space. Condition of the book is usually my first
consideration, followed by whether it is an only copy or a duplicate. If the book
is unattractive or cover illustrations are obviously dated, that might also be a
factor.
Yikes - I use a ten year if not twenty for fiction! Depending on the author and
the condition of the book. But then again, I hate weeding and can see the merits
of keeping just about everything. Fortunately, space isn't a problem.
One tip I have learned just this past week. There was a book many of us weeded
years and years ago. Title: THE CHRISTMAS COOKIE SPRINKLER SNATCHER. It is old,
and certainly more beautiful books have come along over the years. A seasoned
librarian wanted our copy to read to some young children. One copy remained in our
four-county system. This librarian opined it was a darling book. I looked to see
if it was still in print, or reissued, or if I could buy a used copy on ABEBOOKS or
Alibris.
Turns out it is a collector's item, and valued at over $300 a copy, even if used.
Some of what you are weeding may no longer be in print, and may be a valuable
collector's item. That said, you may want to scan the ISBN or title through
ALIBRIS to see some valuable information before your ultimate decision.
I use five years at my community library, and about the same thing here
at school.
I would say it depends on the size and use of your collection. The previous
librarian, for instance, hadn't put any emphasis on checking out chapter books and
so many of the books in my collection haven't been checked out this millennium. So
when I weeded books this fall, a book was considered "used" if it had been checked
out since 2002. However, as I have worked to grow the chapter book collection,
thus filling up my shelves a little more, and also promoted its use this year, I
will likely take a more critical view of books when I weed next fall, to make sure
that books remain accessible and easy to find for my students.
I go with 5 years. I don't remember where I read that, but I think it is a number
that is a standard in weeding. For fiction I look at the last 3 years. If it has
not been checked out in 3 years I figure it's not going to be.
I generally use five years of no checkouts. I'm working of the FIC this
year in preparation for a new circ system next year. I go with 5-7 years unless it
is a classic, great author, Newbery, Coretta Scott King, Caldecott, or Connecticut
Nutmeg (our State annual kids eading/voting program) I'll replace titles that I/we
deem valuable to the collection. Unfortunately, it is often the cover that becomes
the death knell for a title because kids will simply pass it by. I just finished
weeding about 200 fiction titles for exactly that reason.
Hope this is helpful.
According to the CREW method of weeding (regarding fiction): "...
consider a book 'dead' if it has not circulated in two years ..."
But, before you weed it, check to make sure it's not in the Fiction
Catalog and not a local author.
If you Google "CREW method of weeding," you'll get a lot of good hits
to help you out!
Amy Theisen
Library Media Specialist
West Allis Central High School
8516 West Lincoln Ave.
West Allis, WI 53227-2599
414-604-3130
theisena@wawm.k12.wi.us
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