Abstract
Libraries strive to maintain print collections that are current and useful through both acquisition and removal of materials. Removal, often called “weeding,” is guided by factors that include accuracy, usage (circulation), physical condition, currency, relevance, and availability of materials elsewhere. Because of space limitations, smaller libraries and school libraries have more stringent weeding criteria. Ideally, weeded print materials are reused through various means if they are in good condition and not outdated or inaccurate. This article describes the various ways libraries handle their weeded books including book sales or bookstores, donations to local or national nonprofits, or online resellers. Materials that are not candidates for reuse may be sent for recycling, or, as a last resort, disposed of in the regular waste stream.
First page
131
Last page
134
Rights and Access Note
This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. In addition, no permission is required from the rights-holder(s) for non-commercial uses. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
DOI
https://doi.org/10.53558/omnv1594
Recommended Citation
Acheson, Ann. "“Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”: Managing Library Print Collections." Maine Policy Review 33.2 (2024) : 131 -134, https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mpr/vol33/iss2/6.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
