Collection Evaluation and Weeding
550 Earth Sciences
Why I chose Earth Sciences?
Earth Sciences is the second most popular topic in our library Science section, behind only Animals. Earth Sciences covers topics such as geology, hydrology, meteorology, and petrology. While many of these sciences do not often change over time, the resources available are constantly changing and updating. I want to make sure all of our students at Broxton Mary Hayes Elementary School have access to the best materials to keep them engaged in learning about Earth Sciences.
Evaluation of Collection based on Data
To begin my evaluation, I asked the BMHE Media Specialist to run a data report on the Earth Sciences section (550-559.9) including author, title, year status, and circulation for the past five years. The report gave me data from August 2010 to August 2015.
I discovered during my evalutuion that the majority of Elementary Earth Science Georgia Performance Standards and PreK Earth Science GELDS deal with one of the following topics: geology, hydrology, meteorology, or petrology, so I focused on these four areas when completing my evaluation.
Books in the 550 Earth Sciences Section
Total Items: 65
Total Circulation: 1077
Average Publication Date: Prior to 2000
Evaluation of Collection based on Curricular Needs
As a PreK teacher, I am tasked with introducing my students to the concepts of properties of the earth, properties of the sky, exploration of rocks, soil sand, and mud, & seasonal and climate changes. The following chart shows the titles available that cover those skils.
Our curriculum is adequately represented in the current collection, however some of the books are dated, damaged, or redundant. Because this section of the library is so popular minimal weeding can be done without the funds to purchase newer, replacement titles.
Items to be Weeded
Plan for Disposal of Weeded Items
There are no specific disposal guidelines in the current Media Specialist Handbook.
The following steps will be taken to prepare materials for discarding.
1. Remove items from the circulation database
2. Remove or completely mark through all barcodes and labels
3. Write Discard on all materials
- Books will be offered to teachers for supplemental teaching material as appropriate.
- Books will be offered to teachers for other use in the classroom, such as art projects and cutting practice in PreK.
- Books will be offered to students, if appropriate
- Remaining books will be recycled if possible or discarded.