Weeding constitutes a crucial process that complements material selection, necessitating a similar level of careful consideration and sensitivity. The objective of weeding is to identify and remove unnecessary or underutilized resources from the collection, thus ensuring the availability of adequate space for the expansion of the collection. Given the significance of this process, it is imperative to apply scientific criteria in its execution.
Definition of Weeding:
Weeding is defined as the process through which superfluous or underused books, as well as unusable compact discs, are identified and removed from the collection, subsequently transferred to storage. This practice prevents the accumulation of extraneous resources and facilitates the introduction of new materials, promoting the overall growth of the collection.
Criteria and Guidelines for Weeding Books:
1. Appearance: Books that have not been utilized may be considered for removal. However, frequently referenced works must be replaced with new copies to maintain availability.
2. Duplicate Copies: This criterion pertains to books that have been frequently referenced in the past but have since diminished in relevance; in such cases, one or two copies may suffice.
3. Older and Obsolete Editions: Particularly relevant for scholarly texts, this criterion acknowledges that older editions may become outdated with the publication of newer ones.
4. Low-Value Content: Certain academic texts, such as those in computer science, may lose their relevancy over time and should therefore be considered for removal.
5. Usage Rate: By analyzing the frequency of book usage or borrowing, it becomes possible to identify titles that are rarely utilized, thereby justifying their removal. It is important to note that valuable texts are exempt from this criterion.
Criteria for Weeding Compact Discs (CDs):
1. Corrupted CDs: CDs that are found to be defective following an inspection may be removed from the collection, allowing for the acquisition of a new version.
2. Outdated and Obsolete Editions: Educational and scientific CDs may present content that is no longer relevant; in such cases, the corresponding CDs should be eliminated from the collection.
3. Duplicate Copies: An excess of copies for a particular CD title may warrant weeding.
4. Usage Rate: CDs demonstrating a low usage or lending frequency may be considered for removal.
5. Viral Content: CDs that contain harmful viruses or present a risk to users' computer systems should be removed from the collection.
Human Resources:
Librarians assigned to each department are ideally positioned to conduct weeding, as they possess a comprehensive understanding of their respective collections and are attuned to the needs of their patrons better than others.
The Central Library and Documentation Center Weeding Committee:
The Weeding Committee for the Central Library and Documentation Center is composed of the Head of the Central Library and Documentation Center, one representative from the Library's Lending Department, and the Manager of the Library Orders Department. This committee is responsible for overseeing the weeding process and ensuring adherence to established criteria.