The Weeding Handbook

September 15, 2015

Weeding, a task that causes even veteran librarians to tremble, has just gotten easier thanks to this handbook. Vnuk, Booklist reference and collection management editor, argues that proper weeding leads to a more accurate, presentable, and usable collection. The author offers suggestions for earning staff and public support for weeding efforts as well as guidance for making use of discarded materials. Drawing heavily on the CREW method (Continuous Review, Evaluation, and Weeding), Vnuk's shelf-by-shelf guide to weeding decisions also discusses special collections such as AV (audio/visual), youth materials, periodicals, ebooks, and databases. Vnuk stresses the value of a collection development plan in guiding weeding decisions--in fact, approximately half the book is devoted to sample plans in public and academic libraries. While the work approaches weeding based on Dewey classifications, academic libraries may find inspiration here, especially in the individual blueprints. Librarians already familiar with the CREW method will not gain much from the shelf-by-shelf consideration. However, most of the book extends the weeding conversation beyond the assessment of the Dewey classes. VERDICT Vnuk's clear writing and motivating tone will give confidence to reluctant weeders, resulting in a worthy purchase for all public libraries.--Lydia Olszak, Bosler Memorial Lib., Carlisle, PA

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