The Central Plains Library System celebrated the 2nd Annual CPLS Week of Weeding from February 1 through February 6. Due to the Blizzard of 2016, we extended the weeding festivities through February 13. We had a record number of participants with 15 public and 15 school libraries. Together they weeded nearly 7,000 items!!
Some librarians completed major weeding projects, pulling 400+ items out of their collections. They reported that some of the weeded items “had never been checked out.” That happens, but it is difficult to take books off the shelf that look brand new. Some of the familiar titles that are no longer popular include the Hardy Boys mysteries, Bobbsey Twins books, Lassie Come Home, and My Friend Flicka. Other titles that were weeded had not been checked out for 20, 30, and even 40 years! Some things were weeded because of their format—mostly cassette tapes. A few items were so outdated, they caused even seasoned weeders to shake their heads in disbelief—Prison Nurse, by William Neubauer, copyright 1962, Hooked on Phonics from the 1980s, the Sears & Roebuck catalog from 1902, The Amy Vanderbilt Complete Book of Etiquette, and a really old book on baseball techniques. Most commented about how much better their collections look without the old material. The main thing to remember about weeding is that it is a job that is never done. Spend a little time each week examining your collection
to keep it looking good.
A random drawing was held on Monday, February 22, from all the participants. The winner of the Kindle Fire is Erica Teel, from Rock County Library in Bassett.
Congratulations!