Collection Weeding and Evaluation
Venita Allmond - FRIT 7332 Spr 2016
Looking at Chemistry and Physics & Allied Fields Books
Students are also required to complete a science fair project which follows standard S8CS9 - Students will understand the features of the process of scientific inquiry. To do this, outside resources are needed for research purposes. Information needs to be updated and current to show the new and exciting changes in our understanding of the world of physics and chemistry. Books are an important part of that process in both physical and digital forms. Lewis Frasier Middle School is committed to helping students in this endeavor and tries to keep books in the collection relevant to topics often associated with chemistry and physics.
As a teacher who has taught 8th grade physical science for several years, I am well versed in the needs of a good, well rounded collection of research materials for student use in the library.
Data Evaluation
Curricular Needs
Items to be weeded
- Number of years since last copyright - age of book
- Number of years since last recorded checkout
- Presence of negative factors using MUSTY for determination
There are other justifications that might be included such as space, too much outdated material within book, inappropriate for curricula needs or doesn't meet student needs.
Using the above given policy parameters, I would propose to weed the following books from the Lewis Frasier Middle School library:
Simple Physics Experiments with Everyday Materials (1993) - outdated; newer titles
Light Magic (1994) - too elementary; similar titles on grade level
Science Through Art - Air (1992) - too elementary; similar titles on grade level
Experimenting with Sound (1991) - outdated; similar titles
Optics (1987) - material outdated
The Super Science Book of Light (1993) - from defunct elementary school; similar titles
Exploring Sound (1989) - outdated; similar titles
The Way It Works - Electricity (1991) - newer edition on shelf
Power Up (1989) - too elementary; similar titles on grade level
Sparks to Power Stations (1989) - outdated; similar title available
Exploring Magnets (1989) - outdated; similar title available
Chemistry for Every Kid - 101 Experiments (1989) - outdated; newer titles available
The media center does not adhere to district guideline that science books are usually out of date within 5 years. My project showed that if this were strictly adhered to, there would only be 5 books in the 530-549.9 section of the Natural Sciences. What I did was eliminate anything published before 1990 and look at the material contained in the books to determine if the information was still relevant to the science curriculum today.