Collection Development & Maintenance

• Refer first to the CSI Collection Development Policy for guidance.
• LaGuardia's Inventory/ Weeding project.
• CUNY weeding guidelines assert that libraries may offer books up to Largess (among CUNY libraries), to donation organizations, or make resources freely available.
• ALA's selection toolkit.
• CREW: A Weeding Manual for Modern Libraries by Texas State Library and Archives.
• Weeding Guidelines by Subject from Arapahoe Community College Library.

•Currency- Materials that are superseded by newer, revised, or updated editions may be weeded. The library takes into consideration the use of historical texts in areas such as in the humanities and physics.

•Usage- may consult circulation statistics or other usage reports to determine viable candidates for weeding.

•Physical Condition- items that beyond reasonable repair. Consideration for replacement will be made on a case-by-case basis.

•Duplicates- the library may weed duplicate taking into consideration that more than one copy of a title on hand, especially for materials that are heavily used.

•Completeness-  Materials that are part of a multi-volume set of which the library does not have all volumes may be weeded.

•Uniqueness- library will not weed materials that are considered unique, rare or eligible for Archives.

•Format Obsolescence- materials in obsolete formats may be weeded if content is available elsewhere, if the material is in poor condition or there is obsolete equipment to play the format.

•Books-  If physical copies are worn and the library has the same title in e-book form, these copies will be potentially candidates for withdrawal. E-book are also candidates for weeding based on general weeding criteria. For new acquisitions, the e-book format is starting to overtake print in many areas, for example Reference. However, it is the library’s mission to retain print in addition to electronic versions for research and/or instructional purposes.

•Journals - Electronic access is the preferred format for serials, journals, and newspapers. Also, the library pledges some form of access, even if access through  ILL .

•Media Materials- Media formats may be weeded based on any of the general criteria and if in streaming video format, based on the same criteria and if perpetually owned.

•Federal Documents- The library must follow the weeding guidelines that are in place at the federal level for government documents.

•Reference Materials-  Reference materials may be weeded based on any of the criteria listed in the previous section of these guidelines and needs to be updated comprehensive material. Print materials may potentially be weeded based on their availability online.