Throw-It Thursday - But I Hate Weeding

Ashley Borman, Technical Services Librarian at the Clintonville (WI) Public Library, is back with another weeding tips - and collection development - column.

Image by Robin Higgins from Pixabay

Have you ever done a weeding project and afterwards had a patron complain that you got rid of too many books? Or do you just feel soooooo guilty every time you cull a pile of books from your library collection? 

If you absolutely hate large scale weeding projects, I recommend making weeding a part of your regular daily or weekly routine. According to the authors of “Making a Collection Count,” weeding a little at a time makes it less noticeable (p. 88). 

It can be easier to manage too. You could have a list that you take out once or twice a week and just go through a shelf at a time. Hibner and Kelly also note that you can visibly see a books condition, find duplicate items, and see available shelf space by regularly walking around and looking at your collections (p.89). 

Whenever I need a break from staring at my computer, I get up and take a walk through a section of the library, keeping an eye out for anything that looks like it’s in rough shape. I will sometimes find duplicate items this way too. It’s an easy way to go through items while also getting a little bit of a break. 

Happy weeding!