COLLECTION MAINTENANCE
(DESELECTION/WEEDING POLICY)

Systematic evaluation and deselection of the collection (the process of removing materials from the active collection for withdrawal or transfer) is necessary in order to keep the collection responsive to customers’ needs, to insure the collection’s vitality and usefulness to the community, and to make room for new materials.  Studies show that a regularly weeded collection produces higher circulation statistics.

• The Library may dispose of any materials by transfer of ownership or discard, as staff deem appropriate. 
• Suggestions for deselection may be made by all staff. 
• Final deselection decisions are made by Selectors with approval of their Supervisor. 
• The Library will transfer all deselected items to Better World Books that meet with their criteria. Those items that do not meet Better World Books’ criteria may be transferred to the continuous book sale or if damaged, items may be discarded.

Criteria Used for Deselection:

• Outdated materials
• Unnecessary items
• Books no longer of interest or in demand
• Unused duplicates
• Worn or damaged copies

The Bookmobile and Branches operate with extremely limited space for collection display.  Weeding is critical in keeping the collections to a size that will fit in the available space.

Wicomico Public Library
122 S. Division Street, Salisbury, MD 21801
Phone: 410-749-3612 Fax: 410-548-2968
Main Library Hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday(10:00am - 5:00pm)
Tuesday, Thursday(12:00pm - 8:00pm)

Policy For Access To Electronic Information