Less Is More: A Practical Guide to Weeding School Library Collections

Weeding is the unglamorous side of the "library selection" coin, yet for vibrant, quality collections, it is critically important. Weeding can be a daunting challenge, especially without guidance or help. To make weeding part of a library's ongoing procedures, it's best to do it in manageable doses.

Now school and children's librarians nationwide can reap the benefit of Florida's popular "Weed of the Month" program. Updating some of that program's earliest recommendations, this new comprehensive weeding guide from the same experts, is like a friendly mentor ready to assist librarians on one of their more onerous tasks.

This user-friendly guide:

• Explains the ins and outs, including why weeding is such an important task
• Outlines the steps to get started
• Breaks weeding criteria down by over 70 topics and Dewey Numbers so the task isn't overwhelming
• Clarifies how to use automation tools in weeding
• Outlines considerations when upgrading collections

Simple, practical advice along with specific criteria for weeding the school library collection means specialists in public and private schools, as well as children's and young adult librarians will improve collections following these quick and easy guidelines.