Comments on: Being open about weeding

By: Linda Moffatt

Linda Moffatt — Mon, 23 Feb 2015 20:51:01 +0000

Thanks for this comment. For the last 2 years or so I have been actively talking to customers whilst weeding stock in public library collections, explaining why some books have to be removed eventually. It is hard for customers to understand the process especially when budgets are being cut. But being open leads to a positive understanding of the importance of maintaining a vibrant collection. Thanks also for introducing the cost of keeping stock which is no longer used – I hadn’t thought of that aspect but look forward to exploring that idea with colleagues.

By: Simon Rennie

Simon Rennie — Mon, 23 Feb 2015 17:04:27 +0000

Nearly 50% of the stock. And you think they had good reasons. Listen to yourself. You obviously were not familiar with that collection. Staff were working in a state of panic to get rid of stock they did not have room for. Those who care are ashamed of themselves for this wanton destruction of public property. Those who don’t are in charge.

By: Barbara Band

Barbara Band — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 21:35:01 +0000

Good comment! I was fortunate to tour Manchester Library just prior to its opening and was also impressed. At the time, the removal of stock was explained to us and it seemed perfectly reasonable; items that were duplicates, others that were given to specialist collections where they would likely be used more. And, as you say, weeding is necessary … at least for a living library rather than an archive. However, you can bet that the minute you weed a book – even if no-one has borrowed or asked for it for seven years (and that’s an entire school life cycle) – then the next week somebody will do so! I never thought about each book creating a cost to be on the shelf but you’re right; and then there’s all the additional features that the public expect to see in their library today as well; in a building with fixed walls, there’s only so much space available so decisions have to be made – and you’re not going to please all of the people all of the time.