2019 Joint Conference ILA/NLA/NSLA

As the new Collections Strategy Manager at the Marion Public Library, one of my first projects was a big one: weeding the entire library collection (approximately 170,000 items) to prepare for new spaces and new strategies for curating our collection. With our anticipated move to a new, larger library three years away, we have to make the space we have (and have long outgrown) work for us. Partnering with our library director, marketing manager, adult services librarian and youth services librarian, we have created a plan to:
*Weed areas of the collection
*Communicate ongoing changes to our patrons in positive and impactful ways via signage, talking points, and social media
*Identify areas of our collection that will benefit from fresh merchandising within the library for increased circulation and exposure.

Weeding is necessary and vital to the continued growth of a library. This session will discuss how to create support for a large weeding project with the library staff, communicate effectively with patrons on the obvious changes to the collection, and how to partner with city departments and businesses to manage the flow of weeded materials from the library.

I will also share the ups and downs of undertaking such a large weeding project-the frustration, the constant adjusting for time and space, continually maintaining a positive attitude and staying motivated. Meeting the expectations of staff, keeping communication open and honest, and reigning in enthusiastic staff—those who want to weed everything NOW.