The CREW Method - A Manual for Continuous Review, Evaluation, and Weeding

Sep 28, 2026

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A practical library manual explaining the CREW system (Continuous Review, Evaluation, and Weeding) as an ongoing method to integrate inventory, collection evaluation, maintenance, weeding, and discarding. It is designed for time- and resource-constrained community and branch librarians, detailing how to keep collections efficient and effective for patrons. The text emphasizes the operational benefits of weeding, including saving space, reducing staff and patron time, and supporting an attractive, well-organized library environment.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages34

Reading Time1 h 26 min

AccessFree to download

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Why Weed? Why CREW?

The Six Benefits of Weeding

The CREW MethodThe CREW MethodAmerican Library Association 022. FOR REFERENCEDO NOT TAKEFROM THIS ROOM Contents WiTHDHAW Acknowledgments …………………… Introduction ……………………………… The Circle of Service: Where CREW Fits In 3 Why Weed? Why CREW? …………………… The CREW Method in Ten Steps ………………………… The CREW Guidelines for Weeding Your Collection …………10 CREW Guidelines by Dewey Class ………………………………………11 What To Do With Weeded Books: Types of Disposal ..17 Encouraging the Hesitant Weeder - An Epilogue…………19 Overview Chart of CREW Formulas …………………………………………21 ……………………23 Bibliography …………………………… WKTHDHAW WTHDHAW # Acknowledgments I wish to express special thanks to Linda Schexnaydre,Coordinator,Con-tinuing Education,Texas State Library,for suggesting and encouragingthis manual;William M.Duncan,System Coordinator,Library Systems Serv-ices,and Barbara Cockrel1,Director of Lovett Memorial Library,Pampa,Texas,for on-the-job counsel and editorial advice;and Saida Yoder,Weatherford Public Library,Joyce Chestner,Boyce Ditto Public Library(Mineral Wel1s,Texas),and Cynthia Bennett,Lewisville Public Library,for practical advice and field testing the preliminary drafts.Appre-ciation also goes to Venus Hoggard and Carolyn Miller,Library SystemsServices staff,Fort Worth Major Resource System,for typing the originalmanuscript for this manual. # Introduction "The weeder is supremely needed if the Gardenof the Muses is to persist as a garden."一Ezra Pound's ABC of Reading "Books are for use." Ranganathan's FirstLaw of Library Science This manual is designed for use primarily by community and branch librar-ians who are the members of the profession shortest on time,space,andbudget,but who are nonetheless as anxious as the directors of the largestcity libraries to provide their patrons with efficient,effective servicein a pleasant,attractive library environment.To achieve these ends,anentire range of indirect,"technical"services,such as selection,cata-loging,and weeding must be carried out.However,the scarcity of staffand urgent demand for direct public services,such as reference and cir-culation,often prevent some of these indirect services being done ade-quately. There is little in the professional literature that gives practical,clear,detailed advice on how to carry out the technical services.Libraryscience courses are often more theoretical than practical.The harriedcommunity librarian is reluctant to devote her own precious time to devis-ing effective_ways of performing routines the value of which may not bevery clear.This manual attempts to describe clearly,practicaily,andstep-by-step,a new method of carrying_out the five processes of "reverseselection":inventory,collection evaluation,collection maintenance,weeding,and discarding. The Circle of Service:Where CREW Fits In The method called CREW(Continuous Review,Evaluation,and Weeding)inte-grates all five processes into one smooth,streamlined,and on-goingroutine that assures that all these necessary indirect services are ac-complished and accomplished in an effective way. The above diagram represents the flow of library services direct and in-direct;it is a circle because each process leads into the next.Thewhole cycle is called"collection building"-a series of on-going rou-tines that continuously adds to,removes from,interprets,and adjuststhe collection to fit its users and potential users. SA is the Selection(through reviews and requests)and theAcquisition(ordering and paying for)of the 1ibrary's materials. CP is the Cataloging(including classification)and Processing(accessioning,stamping,pocket-pasting)of the same materials. CR is the step which includes the preparation of the books for theshelves and their use in Circulation and Reference,the publicservices. Immediately after entering Circulation and Reference(CR)use,the librarymaterials enter the CREW processes of inventory and maintenance.When,through evaluation and weeding,the 1ibrarian d

FAQs

What does the CREW method stand for?

CREW stands for Continuous Review, Evaluation, and Weeding, integrating multiple collection management processes into a continuous routine.

Who is the manual primarily intended for?

Community and branch librarians who have limited time, space, and budget but still need to deliver efficient, effective services.

Why are weeding and CREW functions important for a community library?

They help maintain a useful, efficient collection and support better service by ensuring materials remain relevant and properly managed.

Sep 28, 2026

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