Weeding out policy is implemented by University libraries to weeding out of unwanted stock of the libraries and to retain the stock quality. The weeding policy is required because of: ageing of stock, error and omission of the original selection of documents, inadequate replacement and fluctuation in demand of users, lack of sufficient fund and changes in objectives of the users’ population.
Collection development in University libraries should include the process of stock revision & weeding and for this the proper physical verification of the stock must be done, so that it can be readjusted. Weeding has to take care of balancing among buying, borrowing and available space. Selecting documents for weeding there are a number of criteria, but it is based on individual’s judgement.
The material that should be weeded out periodically:
• Books of any type that are used by many readers and which has worn out.
• Books that are mutilated by the users.
• Books that are printed on inferior quality of paper which have deteriorated.
• Unexpected gift.
In the field of science and technology the development has so fast that the book published twenty or thirty years ago become outdated. Such type of books have been weeded out and replaced by recent edition of books.
Reference books such as handbook, annual, yearbook which are published periodically have to replace by new edition and weeded out the old books.
The weeded out old news paper should be put on sale. But if the books are in good condition they can be stored at as encyclopaedia, handbook, etc or can be donated to some other libraries which are not in a position to purchase such costly books.
Books reservoirs can also be stored of weeded out document. At least one copy should be preserved at a place of region of the country. According to Ranganathan, “While weeding out it is necessary in service libraries…that it should not be done by the libraries of the country is an uncoordinated way for, it is necessary to preserve a few copies of every book somewhere in the country for the use of posterity and particularly for antiquarian and bibliographic research” (Jayanthi, 2014).
Original Research Article:
- Kumar, P. A. (2017). Impact of information technology on the collection development in university libraries of Assam: a study.
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