Weeding: an Eight-step Program

Weeding, like dusting, is one of those collection development tasks that is never done. It's also like the process of de-cluttering one's house. Necessary, psychologically-uplifting (once it's done), and difficult to do. Why? In addition to the sheer drudgery of the work, there is the emotional attachment we have to things.

This article by Diane J. Young, "Get to Weeding," outlines an eight-step program for librarians whose collections have become unmanageable. I dare say that some of the steps can be applied to home collections of stuff, too.

Here are the basic points:

1. Admit that you are emotionally attached to your collection.
2. Recognize that space is finite and overabundance can be a detractor.
3. Seek the help of experts to overcome your reluctance to judge.
4. Acknowledge to yourself and your colleagues that you've made selection mistakes.
5. Find ways to ease the anxiety of decision-making.
6. Take the drudgery out of weeding.
7. Protect yourself from criticism through policies and PR.
8. Channel your love of books into finding good homes for your discards.
   
   Check it out!