Category: Practical Librarian
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Real Cost of Short Term Thinking
Anyone who has worked with me for more than a few minutes has heard my rants on costs and ROI (Return on Investment). Everything I purchase or do for my library has me spinning into mini ROI calculations. Sample obsessive calculations: -Program cost over number of participants (Watch my blood…
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Advice for Reluctant Weeders
Let’s talk about how to get reluctant weeders more on board with the idea of weeding. Here are some things to consider: Go by the numbers Don’t start pulling materials all willy-nilly (even if it is painfully obvious to you what needs to be weeded). How much shelf space do…
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Weeding: It Ain’t Easy
I love to weed. Love it. That’s no surprise to anyone. Here’s the thing, though: it’s not about the weeding itself. It’s about what you create when you weed. I really love a shiny, clean, up-to-date collection where you know that everything you pull off the shelf is relevant. I…
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The PLC
Public Library Core Collection: Nonfiction 13th edition 2008 This reference book (and also database) is more commonly known as the Public Library Catalog, or the PLC. It lists titles that are considered “core” for the average public library nonfiction collection. I have opinions about it. Are you surprised? This can…
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“But It’s Historical!”
It seems like every few months we get a flurry of angry comments, emails, etc. on how a certain title would be important for “historical preservation” or in a study of history. History buffs, collectors, and other lovers of the odd item seem to bristle at the concept of weeding.…
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Customer Service Starts in Circulation
One of the few job hazards of being a public librarian is that everyone asks you why a library has a certain policy or rule. Often it is in areas I can readily explain like Internet filtering, privacy, weeding, etc. However, there have been a few times, I am absolutely…
Awful Library Books 