De-acquisition of Materials

Weeding is a necessary part of collection maintenance.  A collection which is current and attractive gives vitality to circulation and is easier for patrons to use.  Materials that no longer fit the library’s mission or stated goals, or contain outdated information, and have become obsolete, will be discarded in a manner compliant with the policy adopted by the Board of Trustees of  the Village of Forsyth.  On-going weeding will be practiced by the Head Librarian consistant with accepted professional practice and based on the CREW method. Given the library’s limited shelf space, collection maintenance will be employed to ensure that works that are worn, outdated and no longer useful are systematically removed from the shelves.  Weeding and shelf maintenance in the children’s department are the responsibility of the Children’s Librarian.

Periodicals are weeded every year between January and March, when the oldest copies are withdrawn from the collection and offered for public sale. Retention of the periodicals is based on the number of years for which interest and currency remain valid.  The schedule for retention is outlined in the notebook entitled “Periodical Listings”  located at the circulation desk.