Collection Evaluation Lists
Lehman Library Collection Evaluation and Weeding Project
Studies have shown that careful evaluation and weeding increases book use and user satisfaction as patrons are able to locate up-to-date, accurate information that relates to their academic needs. In addition, weeding the collection will permit library staff to restore the General Collection to A-Z order and provide much needed space for students and new technologies.
It has been many years since materials in the Lehman Library have been reviewed for their accuracy, authoritativeness, curricular value and condition. Responses from the recently conducted LibQual survey indicate that faculty and students are unhappy with the datedness of the collection.
Why is it necessary to evaluate and weed a library collection?
While space considerations are often the primary reason for initiating an evaluation and weeding project, other advantages include:
- Increased book usage. Studies have repeatedly shown that good books housed among old or obsolete material are not identified or used as frequently.
- Increased user satisfaction. Library patrons save time and are less frustrated when materials are part of a well organized, vital collection. At the Lehman Library our weeding project will permit library staff to house the General Collection on one level and restore it to A-Z order.
- Enhanced library services. Reducing the size of the collection provides opportunities to enhance library services through the development of additional student study/work space and the incorporation of new computers, scanners, and production workstations.
What is meant by "weeding" a library collection?
Weeding is the process of examining items in a library collection, title by title, to identify for permanent withdrawal those that meet pre-established criteria
What criteria are used when considering books for withdrawal?
Books are considered for withdrawal using the following criteria:
- Multiple copies
- Worn or damaged items
- These items will be evaluated for replacement
- Older or unneeded editions
- Textbooks
- Dated or incorrect information
- Incomplete series
- These items will be evaluated for completion
- Superfluous materials that do not relate to the mission of the university and library, e.g.
- Curriculum that is no longer taught
- Best sellers older than ten years whose authors are no longer publishing
- Materials that have not circulated in more than ten years
Books will not be eligible for withdrawal if they are identified as:
- Core materials for each discipline
- Classics in the field
- Literary classics
- Primary sources
- Regional materials
- Materials authored by Shippensburg University faculty, students and alumni
- Works deemed to be of historical value
How are core/classic materials identified?
- Books removed from the stacks for possible withdrawal are searched against standard collection development tools such as ChoiceReviewsOnline and Resources for College Libraries to assure that core materials and classics are not inadvertently removed.
- Departmental faculty are encouraged to come to the library to examine the books and identify materials they wish to retain. Faculty may also review title lists of books, organized by Library of Classification numbers. These lists are available at the Lehman Library's Faculty Services Page under "Collection Evaluation and Weeding Project."
- Library faculty review books for possible retention.
Where can I find books that are being considered for withdrawal?
Selected books are housed on the main level of the library and in the lower level hallway. Please stop by the Circulation Desk or the other Information Desk for assistance in finding a specific subject area for review.
If I find a book that I would like to have retained, what should I do?
"Collection Evaluation Forms" are available with the selected books. If you wish to retain a book, place a form in the book and "tip" the book on its spine with the form visible. Library faculty will conduct a final review of all materials and will defer to the judgment of departmental faculty.
What happens to the books that are withdrawn from the collection?
Withdrawn books are processed in accordance with the University's surplus bid procedures, in consultation with the Library's Collection Management Department.
Who can I contact if I have questions about the weeding project?
If you have questions, please contact Berkley Laite, Chair of the Library Department and Outreach Librarian ( 717)-477-1473, bhl@ship.edu. Or Barbara Rotz, Collection Management Librarian (717)477-1027, bdrotz@ship.edu.
J – POLITICAL SCIENCE
- J - General legislative and executive papers
- JA - Political science (General)
- JC - Political theory
- JF-JQ - Political institutions and public administration
- JS - Local government
- JV - Colonization, emigration and immigration
- JZ - International law, international relations
L – EDUCATION
- L - Education (General)
- LA - History of education
- LB - Theory and practice of education
- LC - Social aspects of education
- LD-LG - Individual institutions
- LH-LT - College and school publications, fraternities and societies
Q -- SCIENCE
- Q -Science (General)
- QA - Mathematics
- QB - Astronomy
- QC - Physics
- QD - Chemistry
- QE - Geology
- QH - Natural history – Biology
- QK - Botany
- QL - Zoology
- QM - Human anatomy
- QP - Physiology
- QR - Microbiology
T -- TECHNOLOGY
- T - Technology (General)
- TA -TN – Engineering
- TP - Chemical technology
- TR - Photography
- TS - Manufactures
- TT - Handicrafts
- TX - Home economics
