Reasons to Weed: 

1. To ensure that the collection is relevant to the curriculum and meets the students' current research needs.
2. To provide an appealing and up-to-date collection that is actively used by the campus community.
3. To make space for newer and better items.

General Weeding Criteria: 

• Superseded editions that do not contain unique information, data, or provide a historical reference not available in the most current edition.
• Duplicate titles unless a proven demand exists for multiple copies.
• Titles unused within a reasonable time period based on subject and scope of the work except for items considered classics or standard editions.
• Currency or reliability of the resource's information has lost value.
• Superfluous subjects no longer relevant to the curriculum.
• Items in poor condition that are beyond reasonable preservation efforts

Subject Specific Weeding Criteria:

General Works: (A)

• Replace at least one set of encyclopedias every five years.
• Almanacs and yearbooks are replaced with newer editions.

Philosophy: (B-BD, BH, BJ)

• Most philosophy books do not become outdated.

Psychology: (BF)

• Follow general weeding criteria.

Religion: (BL-BX)

• Most religion books do not become outdated.

History: (C, D, E, F)

• Follow general weeding criteria.

Geography: (G-GR)

• Books in this area can quickly become outdated.

Athletics: (GV)

• Follow general weeding criteria.

Social Science: (H-HA)

• Follow general weeding criteria.

Economics: (HB-HJ)

• Retain primary works by distinguished economists.

Sociology: (HM-HX)

• Retain primary works by distinguished sociologists.

Political Science: (J-JX)

• Retain all primary works.

Law: (K)

• Follow general weeding criteria.

Education: (L)

• Retain biographical materials.

Music: (M)

• Music books generally do not become outdated.

Art: (N)

• Art books generally do not become outdated.

Literature and Language: (P)

• Retain criticism of classic titles.
• Keep multiple copies of classic literary works.

Pure Science: (Q)

• Remove older materials when newer materials are available that provide better explanations of complex subjects.
• Materials become outdated when there are new scientific discoveries, theories and techniques in the area.

Mathematics: (QA 9-74, 78-939)

• Retain classics. Normally withdraw older editions when superseded by new ones.

Computer Science: (QA 75-77)

• Materials in this area become outdated quickly.
• Withdraw older editions when superseded by new ones because newer materials in this area often provide more up-to-date development, better explanations and illustrations.

Astronomy: (QB), Physics: (QC), Chemistry: (QD)

• Retain titles that are regarded as 'landmark' in the area.
• Retain works of significant historical or literary value.

Biological Sciences: (QH-QR).

• Follow general weeding criteria.

Medicine: (R)

• Constantly monitor changes in disease diagnosis and treatment.
• Discard older editions when superseded by new ones. Older materials may be very misleading or even dangerous.

Agriculture: (S)

• Discard older editions when superseded by new ones.

Technology: (T)

• Withdraw materials when newer editions are published or newer material provides better coverage and treatment except auto and appliance repair manuals, cookbooks, and books on guns, clocks, etc.

Military: (U-V)

• Follow general weeding criteria.

Bibliography & Library: (Z)

• Follow general weeding criteria.

Weeding Procedures:

Identification: 

• Set up a cutoff date and retrieve circulation record to identify any item that has not circulated after the cutoff date.
• Identify items that are in poor physical condition.
• Retrieve old titles by checking copyright/publication date in the catalog.

Decision: 

• Before being discarded each item is reviewed by the appropriate librarian based on professional judgment and knowledge of the collection and curriculum.
• Librarians may at times look to classroom instructors for their recommendations.
• Library Director goes through the weeding materials for final approval.

Discard: 

• Items to be weeded will be removed from shelf and catalog.
• Items will be recycled or donated to book sales.
• All discarded items should be clearly marked as discarded.