Weeding: Evolving Practice and Policy
Abstract
Libraries are committed to carefully maintaining their collections, but when it comes time for a weeding project, how do you actually carry it out? In this talk, we'll share how the Space Telescope Science Institute Library's practical approach to weeding has changed over the past nine years. We will discuss the pluses and minuses of each iteration of the library's practice, along with the triggers that prompted each change. We will explore how our collection development guidelines also evolved to reflect our new methodologies. This session offers a chance to reflect on the evolution of your own weeding practices and how they are informed by your environment. Chris Case and Hilary Hargis from STScI will co-present this session.
Full text
EXPANDING THE FRONTIERS OF SPACE ASTRONOMY Weeding Evolution at STScI LISA X 2025 Chris Case and Hilary Hargis
Agenda •Space Telescope Science Institute Library: Who We Are •Evolution of our Weeding Practices •Evolution of our Collection Development Policy •Questions for Reflection
Overview of STScI •Operated by AURA •Established in 1981 •HST: Science Operations •JWST: Science and Mission Operations •Roman: Parts of the Science Operations •HWO: Planning and Preparation •Mikulski Archive for Space Telescopes (MAST)
Overview of STScI Library and collections •Founded with the Institute •Knowledge services, networks, and resources enabling the science and missions of STScI and the astronomical community •Directly support the institute’s mission and strategic goals •OCLC WorldShare Management Services (WMS) •Over 5,000 print titles and over 90,000 ebooks •Total OCLC Holdings: 109,443
Evolution of the STScI Library’s Practical Approaches to Weeding 5
Weeding Evolution: Not Weeding What: Unlimited collection growth Why: Context of institutional development Low staffing levels and staff transitions Plus: Adequate space Rapid expansion of collection Minus: Inaccessibility of space Collection out of step with evolving institutional needs
Weeding Evolution: Linear Weeding What: Book by book, shelf by shelf assessment Why: Context of institutional maturity Availability of staff time Space constraints Increasing online duplication Plus: Well-suited for one primary worker Minus: No overarching goal or plan
Weeding Evolution: Batch Weeding What: Evaluating the collection in thematic chunks Why: New staff and intern participation Project management approach Plus: Well-suited for multiple people working simultaneously Holistic view of the collection Ability to assess percentages weeded by topic Minus: Data gathering is still laborious
Weeding Evolution: Subcollections What: Evaluating unique collections Dissertations and Observatory Publications Why: Potentially unique works not available elsewhere Less local demand Plus: Transfers to parent institutions Ensuring no loss of information to the scholarly community Minus: Transfers take time and money
Collection Development Guidelines: Criteria Based Weeding: Goals Weeding Goals: •Providing our patrons a usable, relevant, up-todate print collection •Responsibly managing the library space •Preserving essential knowledge
Collection Development Guidelines: Deselection Criteria •Circulation history •Availability •Duplication (print or electronic) •Significance (ADS citations) •Accuracy •Relevance •Local impact •Condition
Collection Development Guidelines: Criteria Based Weeding Plus: •Holistic approach to the collection demonstrated to stakeholders •Highlights value library brings to the institution •Document is actionable Minus: •More detail to keep up to date as practices evolve over time
Conclusion 19
Conclusion •Iteration •Adaptation •Future Outlook: •Choreo: flexibility to pivot •Documentation/Policy: ready for the next step
Contact Us Hilary Hargis [email protected] Chris Case [email protected]
Q&A
Questions for Reflection •Is there an approach you’re using we didn’t talk about here? (And what is it?) •We discussed a list of criteria that we use to assess collections, are there other criteria that are important to you? •What are the biggest drivers for change when it comes to weeding in your library?