How do libraries decide which books to keep and which ones to disregard?

Question

Libraries do not have all the books in the world, so how do they choose which books to keep, and which ones not to? Do they do it by popularity, is it first come, first kept or what?

Answer 1

I'm a librarian, myself. We'd like not to get rid of anything. Even if something hasn't been checked out in a very long time you never know when the right person will come in looking for it. Also, librarians use several titles to look up information that their patrons have requested. And while these books may not get checked out by the public, they are incredibly useful to the library staff.



Having said that, there is a process that most libraries use called "weeding". Basically, the titles that are not as relative to the present time are removed from the shelves. An example would be a computer book from 1951. Also, of course, books in irreparable shape. But don't get me wrong, a book is NOT discarded simply because of its age.



A lot of times a worn out book is the sign of a popular book. Therefore, much of the money set aside for buying books for the library is used to replace such titles.



I hope this helped you some.

Answer 2

How often a book is checked out plays a large role in whether or not it is kept by the library. I know at my high school they got rid of all the books that had not been checked out in twenty years, other than reference books. The books condition also has to do with whether they keep it or not. Many times if a book is returned in very bad condition the person responsible for that may have to purchase the book, unless it is normal wear and tear.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

They check their records as to which ones are the most popular and how often they have been checked. Also the condition of the book has some bearing on whether it is kept in the stacks or is put up for sale. Some are just too used to be repaired and they must be thrown out and hopefully the title can be replaced with a newer copy.

Answer 4

They throw them away when the books are like 100 years old and have been read over a million times! The majority of library books are in bad condition, where did all our tax money go??

Answer 5

I really appreciate Maggie's answer (3rd one down).



Maggie must not live in Tampa Florida where the county commisioners have teamed up with the library to get rid of all the books by Gay and Lesbian Authors or containing gay subject matter. Funny thing is - when they started this little campaign against our human rights and education, they had no idea just how many of the classics fall under their definition... they hadn't actually read them.

Answer 6

they have an inventory and lists all the books. they go by how often they have been taken out or if they have too many doubles or if the book hasn't been out in a long time... they don't throw them away. they sell them as used and use the money to get newer books... some libraries have book sales and then they have them on sale all the time....