How do you decide which old books to discard to make room for more books.? Our library has been around for many years . I am at loss how to go about this weeding process.
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Regarding memorials for books donated. In my Excel Spreadsheet (vs. a purchased software) I have a column after the pertinent information of title of book, author, etc., stating who donated the book and given in honor/memory of loved one. An extension of this could be the details as listed but a note of date taken off the shelf on such a date. That way your records are all in one place. I have found in other organizations (wonderful scrapbooks of events) and these books can easily be lost as leadership is passed down. With all the information on the computer, unable to lose and when upgrading, the details can be included. We are now converting everything to LibraryThing and have put this vital information in the Notes for each file. Also, when you are weeding and taking book off the shelf, be sure to black out with marker the details of the bookplate in front of the book in case the book gets into the hands of the original donor. Good luck.
I have a thought about weeding books that were donated in honor or memorial.
Before my time the policy was to NEVER weed out those books. Now, our library has a leather three ring binder with pre-printed card stock pages that are similar to bookplates (saying something like "A gift was given in memory of _________ by _________.") So when I weed out a book, I write the memorial info in the binder. I can weed out the book with a clear conscience.
That is a nice idea. We are just starting memorial type book donations so this will be something to keep in mind for the future.
Information given here is excellent and follows my professional librarian practices but another question:
What do you do with those fictional series that are on your shelves and that everybody else has on their shelves at home? Example: Left Behind or Gilbert Morris. I want to make room for newer contemporary authors and I am sure once we start asking for donations we will receive more of these type titles!
Here is an idea if you can place a notice in the church bulletin or on the church website (or FaceBook):
Create a list telling some items that you would like to receive, such as:
"We are missing these volumes from author's name: "
or "we have a full set of "Left Behind" and all of Gilbert Morris' books except...."
or "the library would appreciate books by these authors"
or even " the library would appreciate receiving the following titles: . . . "
Then later, when you want to remove them, perhaps you can donate the "Left Behind" series and other items to some other facility such as a prison ministry library.
Just some thoughts!
Sandra,
Donating to a prison ministry library is a good idea but the local prisons in our state will only accept paperback books, no hardback books at all.
Thanks for the suggestion about adding books to the collection using facebook. I might just "steal" that idea.
Is there a guideline for when you should remove books related to marriage and family (such as any thing older than 5 years, etc)?
It depends on who wrote it. If it has outdated artwork or photographs from the bouffant (not spelled right) 60's or the plaid pants 70's. I would skim through it, and see how they describe things. Marriage is marriage.
All excellent suggestions. I have to be in the mood to weed. It's like "spring house cleaning". When you are in the mood, decisions come faster. I like to weed by myself or with just one other person. Too many opinions do not solve the problems. I tell people that want to donate that I don't take books that are older than (blank) year. This is a good way to deter them from donating older books unless they are classics and you don't have a copy. Good suggestion from someone else "hold the book in your hand and ask "would I read this". It's OK to answer yourself out loud! Good luck. I know of a church library that only takes donations because there is no budget. Many, many books are outdated and it makes the overall library look dated. Good luck.
I have copied our Gift and Selection Policy- as a rule if it smells like mold, is yellowed with age with cracking and loose pages, discoloration, tears, excessive marking, etc. I weed it. Then I look for dated materials based on current events (a prophecy book that mentions the Soviet Union for example)- biographies of dated Christian leaders (especially those that are in the world culture); I should weed more than I do- I am doing better. On classic authors, I keep them unless they are unreadable and make a note to update or replace with a newer copy. Hope that helps
Gift and Selection Policy
These guidelines are designed to help both our patrons, and the library staff to make the best usage of our resources, and donated items.
Preference will be given to newer titles and updated, revised editions of books we already hold.
New books and media should be of sound doctrine, promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and help our patrons to grow spiritually.
Biblical truth portrayed in children’s media should conform as far as is possible to what the Bible says in meaning and action.
Although we appreciate gently used donations, monetary gifts to the Library Gift Account are preferred. Your contributions help stretch our budget so we can purchase more new titles.
Used book donations should fit the following guidelines:
Physical- good to very good condition with tight binding. Book pages should not be yellowed with age, have insects, odor, or excessive markings
Artwork should be fresh and eye appealing; a pretty cover often helps an old book gain a new audience.
Donations of any sort become the property of the library. No provisional gifts will be accepted, and the library reserves the right to dispose of any materials that cannot be used.
All donated materials are subject to the approval of the library staff.
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