Disposing of Books

I have been trying to find a simple list of questions to consider when deciding if a book should be disposed of. Our library has many fine books -- but many are old, tattered and outdated, as well. As amateur librarians we are hesitant to start weeding them out before we get some good advice about how to approach the evaluation of the books. Does anyone out there have such a list of considerations?

I can show you the criteria for weeding books that some public libraries use, but I don't have any criteria for weeding books in a church library. Are you interested? It is called the CREW method of weeding.

I am pressed for space so if I have duplicates that are falling apart they are likely to go. I consult with the Ministry and Oversight committee just to confirm. We have a "Free" box outside the library door and the weeded books plus donated books that we don't want to add to our shelves go there for interested people to take home.

This blog post, "Why We Weed," from the Awful Library Books blog, is a good intro to the topic, with links.

We use the "Free" box method too, but Friends rarely take anything from it. After items have been in the box for a month or so, I donate the books that are in good condition to the local "Friends of the Public Library" sale. The rest I take to recycle.