Collection Evaluation and Weeding
Generalities 000 & Reference REF ~ By Kristan Price
WHY GENERALITIES & REFERENCE?
DATA EVALUATION: FIVE SCHOOL TERMS
Number of Titles: 47
Total Circulation: 7
Average Publication Date: 1993
The circulation in this section is incredibly low. Only 5 titles of the total 47 have actually been circulated in the last five years (see below).
REFERENCE (REF)
Number of Titles: 193
Total Circulation: 28
Average Publication Date: 1998
The circulation in this section is also pretty low. Only 9 titles of the total 193 have actually been circulated in the last five years (see below). Ironically, the most circulated item in this section (Occupational Outlook Handbook) is still severely out-dated and obsolete.
EVALUATION OF CURRICULAR NEEDS
All students are also required to conduct varied levels of career research throughout high school through academic advisement activities as well as Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education initiatives. Because of my background in Business Education, I found myself particularly drawn to the resources related to career development. These materials are outdated and have been made obsolete by free resources available to students on the World Wide Web.
Standards are as follows:
9th-10th Grade English Language Arts Georgia Standards of Excellence
ELAGSE9-10W8: Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the usefulness of each source in answering the research question; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.
ELAGSE11-12W8: Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the strengths and limitations of each source in terms of the task, purpose, and audience; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and over-reliance on any one source and following a standard format for citation.
CCGPS 9-12th Grade Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects
L9-10WHST8: Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the usefulness of each source in answering the research question; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.
ITEMS TO WEED
Per the SCS Weeding Policy, most of the books will be discarded through the school maintenance department. A few items will be offered to individuals in the community who might have an strong interest in them.
Please see the titles selected for weeding along with individual rationals below:
*The SAT Prep (2004) book could not be located, but it was selected for weeding as well.
A Definitive Study of Your Future in Veterinary Medicine (1970)
This is my personal favorite. It's very old and there are other books in the collection on this topic that are more recent. It would look awesome as a display item in a local vet's office next to the vintage medical tools. We will offer it to them.
The Larousse Desk Reference (1996)
What struck me most when flipping through this gigantic book of dates, timelines, and facts is that if I wanted to know ANY of those things, I would Google it. These sorts of reference books are timepieces, but no longer relevant for academic research.
World Book (2006)
I believe this set was kept because it is just SO attractive. The condition is flawless and it's not missing a single book! Although it seems like a sacrilege, I dream of pulling the spines off and lining them up inside of fancy frame to be admired for all time in the media center.
Career Opportunities in Crafts (1977)
First and foremost, when I think of crafting, I think of Etsy. This book is older than the personal computer and has no possibility of guiding someone through the ocean of self-sale sites available for home-based entrepreneurs. I included the shot of the page because it shows just how out-dated this book really is.
Index of Majors & Graduate Degrees (2004)
Just like the Guide to Career Colleges (below), this book is out-dated because degree programs change annually. A student would access this information online through a database such as University System of Georgia or from the specific institutions website.
Enhanced Occupational Outlook Handbook (2003)
Enhanced, but still outdated. Just like the other Outlook Handbooks, this information is online, updated, and free.
O*NET (2007)
Students have access to O*NET online.
Occupational Outlook Handbook (2006)
(SUPERSEDED)
Students have access to this online through the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
How to Pay for College or Trade School (1985)
(MISLEADING & SUPERSEDED)
Students have access to this online
through GACollege411 and other online applications. It is also very old. The cost of higher education has changed tremendously since 1985.
The World Almanac 2008
There is definitely more current information available and you do not necessarily have to pay for it. It is funny to me that this copy was the only book of this type.
Alternative: InfoPlease
The Baseball Encyclopedia (1987)
This enormous book will be having its 30-year anniversary soon! We decided to celebrate by "changing locations." It's new home will be our assistant principal's office... former baseball coach and local guru.
Exploring High Tech Careers (2001)
Again, tech careers have changed completely in the last 14 years. 2001 saw the birth of the laptop, but touch-technology was not even conceivable yet.
America's Top 300 Jobs (2002)
(MISLEADING & SUPERSEDED)
These sorts of studies are available free online and are much more current. Again, students can access detailed information about specific careers through GaCollege411.
Exploring Tech Careers (1988)
This book is nearly 20 years old. Technology has changed completely! Students can access detailed information about specific careers through GaCollege411.
Guide to Career Colleges (2003)
College programs change annually. This information is out-dated.
Paying for College Without Going Broke (2007)
Although this book is one of the more recent titles in this section, it is still very out-dated. Everything has changed from the way we apply for financial aid to how we apply to colleges. Students now access this information through GACollege411 as well as many non-profit and government resources online.
Online resources: ABCNEWS and The College Money Guys
College Admissions for the High School Athlete (1993)
If I needed this information today, I would go to this site. Even a book of this nature that is just a few years old could be filled with erroneous information.
Résumé Writing (1985)
One thing I have learned from my former students coming back to visit is how much finding a job has changed!
Résumés are still critical, but formats have changed with the implementation of digital technology. Also, social media and web applications are increasingly used as platforms for job acquisition. This book is just too old to be relevant. Online resources:
PERDUE and GCF Learn Free
WEEDING POLICY - SUMTER COUNTY SCHOOLS
Weeding Library Media Materials/Equipment
The media specialist may remove from the library media center materials, equipment and furniture no longer of value to the library media program following general selection and weeding (collection management) guidelines. The process of weeding is a key part of assessing the collection. It helps keep collections relevant, accurate, and useful. Weeding also facilitates effective use of space in the library media center.
Library media materials should be weeded if they:
• Are in poor physical condition
• Have not been circulated in the last five years
• Are outdated in content, use, or accuracy (Copyright date should be considered; however, do not make a decision to weed based solely on the copyright date of the material. Some older material may be considered classic or may be of great historical value to your collection.)
• Are poor quality
• Are inappropriate reading level for the school level
• Duplicate information which is no longer in heavy demand
• Are superseded by new or revised information
• Are outdated and unattractive in format, design, graphics, and illustrations.
• Are not selected in accordance with general selection criteria
Reasons for retaining material even if the above criteria are met may include:
• It is a work of historical significance
• It has unique features that may not be found in a replacement copy
• It bears a significant relationship to other materials (e.g. part of a series or collection)
• There are no funds available to replace the title
Process for disposal of unwanted material:
• Remove item from circulation or inventory system
• Remove identifying property labels.
• Mark or stamp as discarded either individually or as a container for multiple items
• Maintain list of discarded materials
Options for disposal:
• Offered to other media centers
• Given away to non-profit institutions or individuals within the school or local community
• Recycled
• Disposed of through SCS maintenance department