The Central Plains Library System’s Month of Weeding has concluded. Sharon traveled throughout the System offering encouragement and expertise. We had 37 participating libraries (18 public, 18 school, and 1 academic library). Some weeded less than 100 volumes and other took out nearly 2,000. All together more than 15,000 items were weeded this spring!
Prior to this project, there were lots of overflowing shelves in our System.
Here are some of the interesting finds:
- Captain Blood: His Odyssey c1922
- A book that the current librarian checked out in 1960! (She was just a school girl at the time)
- A Bible from 1940s checked out by the current librarian’s 80-year-old cousin when HE was in high school
- Classics in rough shape (replaced)
- 1989 World Book
- Books that are falling apart
- Icky, grungy, old books
One public librarian was struggling with letting go of so many “gently used” books that were only checked out one or two times. All of us can easily throw away books that are tattered, torn, and stained. And, it is true that it seems like a waste to get rid of books that still look good. However, those books that have been sitting for 5, 10, 15 or more years are taking up valuable real estate. No library has unlimited shelf space, so books have to earn their keep.
Many items will be sold at book sales benefiting the library. Others will be shipped to online book sellers such as Better World Books. Some can be recycled and others (those in the worst condition) will need to go in the trash.
RESULTS
Libraries’ circulation will go UP
Shelving will be easier (No need to shift!)
Space for new material
Patrons and students will find “the good stuff”
WINNERS
We have TWO Kindle Fire tablets to give away.
C.B. Preston Memorial Library in Orleans and Valentine Community Schools
Save