Library's 'Weeding' Policy Questioned

The Glenwood Public Library’s policy of removing and selling outdated, inaccurate and rarely-read books, including many that were donated as memorials, was called into question last week on social media and at the library’s board of directors meeting.

Glenwood Public Library Director Jenny Ellis said around 1,000 items have been “weeded” from the library shelves over the past two months, but she is uncertain how many of the books had been donated as memorials.

“It is a state rule for accreditation purposes that we have to weed a certain percentage each year, but the percent depends on your collection size,” Ellis said. “The weeding here has never really been caught up to date because you’re supposed to do it every so often to make sure stuff is not out of date or have inaccurate information.

“Over the past two months, it’s been over 1,000 items, but it’s because we’re playing catch-up. That’s not a normal yearly number.”

Ellis estimates that after this year, around 200 books will be removed from the shelves annually.

Library board member Terri Craig said the weeding policy has been in place at the library for several years, but this is the first time the protocol’s actually been followed. In addition to books that are outdated, Craig said items that aren’t checked out for five years should be removed.

“Anything not checked out in the last five years can be weeded,” Craig said. “We cannot leave books in the library that aren’t being read.”

Because of concerns some library patrons and donors have expressed in recent weeks about the weeding practice, the library’s memorial donor form is being revised to explain that once an item is given, it becomes the possession of the library and cannot be returned.

Craig said donors aren’t contacted when a book they’ve given to the library is selected for weeding.

“We don’t have the manpower or money to call people to let them know a book is being discarded,” she said.

Even if a donated book is weeded, Ellis said a receipt of the donation remains on file at the library.

“The old-fashioned library card catalogue has cards in it that has the person’s name, what the book is and who gave it,” she said. “That stays long after the book does, so there is an acknowledgement that remains.”

Stickers are used to designate donated books at the library, but the sticker is removed before a book is weeded and sold.

The weeded books are sold to Better World Books, a company that resells the books with proceeds benefiting charities and global literacy initiatives. Ellis said the library received $358 for the books sold over the past year and the library foundation also received funds.

Better World Books provides boxes for the books it purchases and covers the cost of shipping.

Ellis added that the weeding practice has actually resulted in numerous compliments about the appearance of the library.

“We have received a lot of comments about how much better the shelves look, because they’re not as jam-packed,” Ellis said.

Ellis said the most-current numbers show the library having an inventory of 33,110 items, including books, art prints, DVDs and story bags.