Library Science Collection Development

Question 1

What document guides a library's decisions about what materials to acquire, retain, and weed?

Accepted Answer

Collection development policy

Answer

A collection development policy (or collection management policy) outlines the library's philosophy, scope, and criteria for selecting, acquiring, and deselecting materials.

Question 2

What is 'weeding' in the context of library collections?

Accepted Answer

Removing outdated, damaged, or little-used materials from the collection

Answer

Weeding (deselection) is the systematic process of removing materials from the collection that are outdated, physically deteriorated, superseded, or consistently unused.

Question 3

What does the CREW method stand for in collection weeding?

Accepted Answer

Continuous Review, Evaluation, and Weeding

Answer

CREW (Continuous Review, Evaluation, and Weeding) is a systematic weeding method developed for public libraries that uses age, usage, and condition criteria for deselection decisions.

Question 4

What is a 'standing order' in library acquisitions?

Accepted Answer

An arrangement to automatically receive new volumes in a series or annuals from a publisher

Answer

A standing order is an agreement with a vendor to automatically send and bill each new volume of a series, annual, or publisher's continuation as it is published.

Question 5

Which usage statistic is commonly used to justify retaining or weeding a print book?

Accepted Answer

Last date checked out (circulation date)

Answer

The last checkout (circulation) date is a key metric in weeding decisions; books that have not circulated in several years may be candidates for deselection.

Library Science Practice Test

Library Science Practice Test

Library Science Collection Development