In this program we will discuss communication, transparency, and timing. Learn how to get staff and patrons on board, be clear with your weeding plan, and set a pace that allows for careful decision making. You’ll also learn how to dispose of weeded materials properly and respectfully.

1. Weed Smart
Holly Hibner and Mary Kelly
awfullibrarybooks.net
Twitter: @awfullibbooks

2. “There’s no such thing as bad publicity”
– P.T. Barnum

3. Everything is Connected

5. Avoid the Weeding Frenzy

6. http://articles.latimes.com/1996-09-03/news/ls-40094_1_san-francisco-public-library
- Neglected to get staff on board
- Inadequate planning of disposal
- Careless weeding?
Case #1: San Francisco 1996

7. What are people supposed to think?

8. Ongoing & continuous

9. How to weed continuously
1. Set up automated reports in your ILS
2. Use the help available to you
3. Give some items another chance
4. Walk the stacks

10. …But we’ve always done it
that way

11. …But I don’t have time

12. http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2013/09/library-services/books-in-dumpsters-spark-debate-on-future-of-fairfax-county-va-libraries/
- Improper disposal of items
- Poor planning and execution
- Lack of input on new plan by staff and patrons
Case #2: Fairfax County 2013

13. …But the public doesn’t “get” it

14. A good library is like a good haircut.
It’s not what you cut – it’s what you
leave.
Anne Felix, Grand Prairie (TX) Public Library System
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ld/pubs/crew/crewmethod08.pdf

16. Getting Fired
Tarrant
1974

17. Kiplinger’s Sure
Ways to Cut Your
Taxes
McCormally
1991

18. Rites of
Passage at
$100,000+
Lucht
1995

19. Rites of
Passage at
$100,000+
Lucht
1995

20. Rites of
Passage at
$100,000+
Lucht
1995

21. http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2013-06-14/library-director-says-mistake-was-made-book-weeding.html
- Mismanagement, policy not followed
- Too much too fast
- Inadequate preparation
- No public explanation
Case #3: Urbana Free Library 2013

22. …But there’s so much to weed!

23. http://www.contracostatimes.com/breaking-news/ci_28446633/berkeley-library-discard-process-criticized
- Too much too fast
- Inadequate staff preparation and participation
- Lack of documentation
Case #4: Berkeley Public Library 2015

24. One size does not fit all

25. How to Live in Your Van and Love It
Poteet
1976

26. Love in Suburbia
Conway
1964

27. Serve it Cold!
Crosby & Bateman
1969

29. What Makes a Telephone Work
Darwin
1970

31. Be Bold with Bananas
Banana Control Board
1970

33. Atomic Bombing
Davis, Ed
1950

36. Holly Hibner and Mary Kelly
submit@awfullibrarybooks.net
Twitter: @awfullibbooks
www.slideshare.net/awfullibrarybooks
awfullibrarybooks.net
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