Library Collection Evaluation
Weeding Section 970-979 (US History)
Joyce LyAnne Polk
Choosing Just One Section
I chose to weed the nonfiction selections located between call numbers 970-979 because the topics located here are centered on events in US History. Our school houses 3rd-5th grades, and history is a large part of the fourth and fifth grade social studies curriculum. Having a substantial collection of books to support these topics is beneficial for both informational purposes and for sparking student interest otherwise forgotten parts of our history. As I began this weeding project, I compiled a list of GA Social Studies Standards for the grade levels at our school.
3rd Grade:
- SS3H1 The student will explain the political roots of our modern democracy in the United States of America.
- SS3H2 The student will discuss the lives of Americans who expanded people’s rights and freedoms in a democracy.
- SS3G2 The student will describe the cultural and geographic systems associated with the historical figures in SS3H2a.
4th Grade :
- SS4H1 The student will describe how early Native American cultures developed in North America.
- SS4H2 The student will describe European exploration in North America.
- SS4H3 The student will explain the factors that shaped British colonial America.
- SS4H4 The student will explain the causes, events, and results of the American Revolution.
- SS4H5 The student will analyze the challenges faced by the new nation.
- SS4H6 The student will explain westward expansion of America between 1801 and 1861.
5th Grade:
- SS5H1 The student will explain the causes, major events, and consequences of the Civil War.
- SS5H2 The student will analyze the effects of Reconstruction on American life.
- SS5H3 The student will describe how life changed in America at the turn of the century.
- SS5H4 The student will describe U.S. involvement in World War I and post-World War I America.
- SS5H5 The student will explain how the Great Depression and New Deal affected the lives of millions of Americans.
- SS5H6 The student will explain the reasons for America’s involvement in World War II.
- SS5H7 The student will discuss the origins and consequences of the Cold War.
- SS5H8 The student will describe the importance of key people, events, and developments between 1950-1975
- SS5H9 The student will trace important developments in America since 1975
Percentage of Collection by Topic
Weeding Plan
Reasons for Discarding
Weeded Titles and Plan for Discarding
- 2 copies of "Canada" by David Flint (retain 1, discard 1)
- 2 copies of "Canada: The Land" by Bobbie Kalman (retain 1, discard 1)
- 6 copies of "Settler Sayings" by Bobbie Kalman (4th Grade Standard; retain 3, discard 3)
- 3 copies of "Mexico" by David Flint (retain 2, discard 1)
- 2 copies of "Mexico" by Michael Dahl (retain 1, discard 1)
- 8 copies of "Black History: Days of Slavery" by Stuart A. Kallen (4th & 5th Grade Standards; retain 5, discard 3)
- 7 copies of "The Civil War and Reconstruction" by Stuart A. Kallen (5th Grade; retain 5, discard 2)
Another reason for discarding was poor condition of books, which included the selection "Eskimos" by Ellen Schultz. This book was published in 1979 and was beginning to fall apart at the seams. Furthermore, it had no circulation history within the past 3 years.
The remaining books that were chosen for discarding were "Pistols and Politics: Alexander Hamilton's Great Duel" by August Greeley and "The Viking Saga" by Chris Molan. The first was determined trivial because it is a story of US History, but of no great significance. The last was labeled irrelevant because it is not connected to any of the standards for the grade levels served by the library.
In Bryan County, the proposed list of books or materials to be discarded must first be finalized and approved by the Media Specialist. She is then tasked with identifying the funding source of the books. Because none of the books chosen for disposal were purchased or published within the last five years, this was not an issue. After approval, all of the books must be stripped of labels and school identification. They are then stamped with "DISCARD" and offered to school teachers for use in their classrooms. The books that are not claimed are offered to the public free of charge.