need for more current titles on a particular topic can be a powerful leverage tool to make the case for more funding. Use the same general criteria for each area that is provided in the CREW Guidelines by Dewey Class, being especially attentive to weeding material that has not been used in several years or has been superseded by new editions.
Other Considerations Simplified Classics also known as ‘abridgements,’ should be evaluated carefully. Although some may be useful for reluctant readers or adult beginning readers, they are often hackneyed, drab, and lifeless. Some exceptions include a few retellings of classics, like Shakespeare's Stories and Eric Kimmel’s The Hero Beowulf, have received high praise and retain the spirit of the original while simplifying the text. If in doubt, check standard review sources, keeping only titles that were positively reviewed. Replace other titles with new hardcover or paperback editions of the full text. Series Books may be well written and of high quality or be poorly written and without literary merit. Kids read series books for pleasure and, with guidance, often move on to better quality series and single titles. Replace low-quality series with newer editions of series favorites like the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, Chet Gecko, the Magic Treehouse and Junie B. Jones. Be aware of whether the books are a series or if books are sequels or prequels to other titles. Replace missing titles in popular series if titles don’t stand alone. Check resources like Mid-Continent Public Library’s Juvenile Series and Sequels website, http://www.mcpl.lib.mo.us/readers/series/juv/title.cfm. Remember also that there can be series in most genres, including beginning readers and nonfiction. Older Titles with shabby bindings, outdated illustrations, or torn pages should be discarded. Replace award books, such as Newbery or Caldecott, with newer editions if the books are still being read. Discard nondescript titles that were popular fifteen or so years ago in favor of newer titles with updated illustrations addressing contemporary issues. Older Editions printed on thin paper with fine print or unattractive illustrations should be discarded in favor of newer titles. Old, worn classics should be replaced with new hardback or bright, attractive paperback editions. Be especially careful about keeping older titles for sentimental reasons, “But I loved that book as a child!” If children today are not reading the book, either bring it to their attention through book talks and displays or discard it. Geography titles more than five years old are misleading and inaccurate and should be pulled. The older the title, the more inaccurate the content will be. Imagine how useless a title published before either of the World Wars CREW: A Weeding Manual for Modern Libraries. http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ld/pubs/crew Texas State Library and Archives Commission
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