Weeding of Library Materials-Politics and Policies |
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| Abstract: | An overview of the weeding process is presented along with a review of its nature, purpose, and proper functioning in a variety of environments. Attempts to define the various terms used synonymously for weeding give some insight into the general nature of the process. The value of weeding lies primarily in developing a quality collection by eliminating out-of-date information that is potentially misleading and, in areas such as medicine, even dangerous. Factors supporting the development of a weeding program may include redundancy in the collection, shifts in goals and emphases of the institution, physical deterioration of materials, obsolescence of materials, and the need for space. Matters such as cost, politics, availability of storage or cooperative agreements should be taken into account in determining the appropriate weeding strategy. Different potential criteria (such as use of materials) are defined. Finally, it is indicated that, while there is a cost for weeding a collection, not weeding carries a more subtle cost. |
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