Weeding Policy
The public library is a primary source for life-long learning, offering a window on the wider world by providing a wide range of relevant and timely materials.
The materials collection is weeded in a continuous and systematic manner in order to ensure it reflects collection development policies and guidelines.
The Library will strive to maintain, within limitations of budget and space, collections which reflect contemporary interests while at the same time support a varied cultural heritage. Bibliographic collectibility and/or rarity is not a major component of the library's collection responsibility.
It is recognized that library users will need to access some materials through Inter-Library Loan or in digital format via the World Wide Web.
As a major public library, Halifax Public Libraries recognizes its responsibility to maintain in-depth collections. The following guidelines outline areas where in-depth collections will be maintained.
Retention
Atlantic materials
Last copies will be retained in any format as appropriate. Atlantic materials include fiction and nonfiction, audio, video, electronic, adult and youth. Where specific materials may be unsuitable for
the public library environment, an appropriate local repository will be sought.
Biographies
The Library will strive to maintain last copies of at least one quality biographical work on particularly famous or important people, past and present.
Canadian Materials
Last copies will be retained in any format for major Canadian fiction and non-fiction adult and youth. Last copies will be retained of Canadian award winning titles within appropriate collection policies. Where specific materials may be unsuitable for the public library environment, an appropriate local repository will be sought.
Fiction
Last copies will be retained in any format for classic and enduring fiction, both adult and youth.
Award winning authors and titles will be retained within appropriate collection policies.
History and Social Issues
Last copies will be retained in any format as appropriate for classic and enduring works of nonfiction, old and new, which have had an impact on our society or history. This includes works by authors such as Marx, Machiavelli, Churchill, Drucker, etc.
Reference Materials
[under development]
This plan may be revised to reflect additional areas of interest as they are identified.
Weeding Plan
Overview:
Weeding is the continuous systematic withdrawal of materials to maintain the integrity of the Library's collections. Weeding is done to:
- have a collection which reflects the current and anticipated needs of the community
- ensure that the collection is attractively and appealingly displayed
- use the available library space in the most effective way
- remove outdated materials from the collection.
To be most effective, weeding must be incorporated into an annual ongoing schedule of collection maintenance.
Annual Plans
Branch priorities may include specific weeding targets in order to align resources to support specified priorities. Targets will be identified annually through regional and branch action plans.
Adult Collections:
Adult Collections will be weeded on a regular basis following the guidelines for the Adult Collections weeding plan.
Youth Collections:
Youth collections will be weeded on a regular basis following the guidelines for Youth Collections weeding plan. Selectors may request that specific areas of the collection be weeded. The Collection Development Manager will review these requests and initiate through the Branch Services Collection Team.
The Collection Development Manager will monitor these plans.
