Running head: THE ETHICS OF DISCARDING LIBRARY MATERIALS 1

The Ethics of Discarding Library Materials: Evaluating the Pros and Cons of Weeding

Sarah Qronfleh

University of South Florida: LIS 5020

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Abstract:

This paper discusses whether or not weeding library materials is an ethical practice. The major

topics covered deal with moral obligations, the profession of librarianship, the legality and

ownership of library materials, and the ethical code of librarians.

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To an information professional, the concept and act of weeding brings up many different

reactions and viewpoints. Simply the term itself, and other terms closely associated with it,

(discarding, trashing, purging) provoke a strong negative connotation and have caused some

unfavorable publicity within the library world and the communities they serve. Despite these

negative aspects associated with weeding, almost every librarian will tell you that it is an

extremely necessary part of maintaining a collection. In thinking about the ethics of weeding,

there are some important factors to discuss including objectivity, competency, and necessity.

It is first important to think of the many definitions that can be attributed to the word

“ethics” and what it means to be “ethical” within the framework of library services. Bazirjian

describes three different philosophers and their definitions of ethics as being defined by the

goodness of one’s motives, achieving a thorough knowledge of the nature of things, and the

attitude toward events rather than the events themselves (1990, p. 136). With these definitions in

mind, it is easy to attribute the action of weeding to being an ethical action because the motives

are rational and organized, the understanding of why librarians weed is thorough, and the

understanding of who librarians serve is complete (Bazirjian, 1990, p. 136). To elaborate on this

concept further, Chant describes how to rationally weed in an organized form by discussing

topics such as “slow and steady, necessary sacrifices, weeding by numbers, and aging out”

(2015, p. 35). The concept of “slow and steady” means to spend a small amount of time each

week or quarter getting rid of a few books at a time versus undertaking large-scale massive

weeding projects and discarding hundreds of books at one time. This approach to weeding is

more ethical because it shows the motivation behind weeding is a practical one and not due to

the whims of a new director or administrator. “Weeding by numbers” and “aging out” also

contribute to an ethical understanding of weeding by showing that libraries understand the

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communities they serve. A book that has never circulated or that is very worn and damaged is

not contributing to the collection in a positive manner and in fact, makes it more difficult for

patrons to find good materials because they are hidden amongst bad ones. Studies show that

“circulation frequency rises after a weeding project… when people can browse the shelves (or

online catalog) without having to sift through older materials they’re not interested in” (Chant,

2015, p. 34).

Another theory to explore in regards to weeding is the ethical “code” of librarians.

Bazirjian refers to the librarian as “semi-professional” in regards to lacking a well-publicized

ethical code similar to those that exist in the medical or law professions (1990, p. 139). Despite

the American Library Association having published an official statement on ethics, this remains

of little significance according to Bazirjian because librarians are still viewed as “gatekeepers”

and must work within the patron’s demands rather than impose his or her own (1990, p. 139). To

become a true profession, Bazirjian states, librarians need to “serve the interests of society even

if his or her decisions are not popular, i.e. discarding books” (1990, p. 139). “Librarians who

view their role solely as disseminators of information rather than as responsible decision makers

hurt the profession (Bazirjian, 1990, p. 140). This concept of taking “ownership” of the librarian

profession seems to go in stark contrast to the current movement of libraries being “user-

centered” and “patron-oriented” institutions, but this is not necessarily true. A library can both

serve its patrons and perform acts like weeding that might be unpopular but ultimately work

towards providing patrons better service overall. By thinking of the librarians that work in

libraries as “masters” of their profession, it is easy to view weeding as an ethical act that

provides a positive outcome.

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The ownership of materials is also something to take into consideration when discussing

the ethics of discarding books. Depending on the type of institution, there is a good chance that

materials in the library have been purchased with state funds and grants, therefore making the

materials “state property” (Bazirjian, 1990, p. 140). Some people go even further to state that

library materials paid for by taxpayer money belong to the general public and therefore cannot be

discarded without public approval. It is Bazirjian’s thinking that when “a force called public

opinion emerges, if it is very strong and long lasting, it will eventually crystallize into law”

(1990, p. 140). Historically, public approval of weeding projects has not been high. According to

Berry, “the majority of people see most books as permanently valuable” and with this notion

citizens don’t understand that the library needs to throw away low circulating items, multiple

copies of something, or worn out and tattered books (2013, p. 1). The question then becomes, do

librarians have a legal right to discard material purchased with state funds? If we think of the

previous paragraph with the librarian being an educated master of the profession, then yes, it

would be ethical to say a librarian can choose what stays and goes as long as he or she is being

honest, objective, and is competent. However, there is another ethical way to approach

answering this question and is something that many libraries currently participate in: giving

discarded materials to non-profit groups or friends groups to be sold. This solution has provided

an outlet for libraries to discard materials while still maintaining public approval and therefore

“legality”.

It is also important when discussing the ethics of discarding library materials to go over

the more human side of weeding and the “moral obligations” librarians have to be honest,

objective, competent, and loyal when performing sensitive tasks such as weeding. Although

some people might view libraries this way, “the term ‘library’ is not synonymous with
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‘museum’” (Bazirjian, 1990, p. 137). If a librarian is being honest, he or she knows that patrons

are better served “by the very best and current collection of books a library can offer” (Bazirjian,

1990, p. 137). Taking into consideration certain primary sources and classics, a librarian should

be able to honestly evaluate the collection and be willing to give items up if and when necessary.

It is also imperative that librarians remain objective when selecting titles to discard. It would

definitely be unethical to think of personal taste and subject matter biases determining what

items stay and go in a collection. “We are responsible for actions that are under our own control

and need to make discard decisions based on objectivity and professional judgement” (Bazirjian,

1990, p. 137). For weeding to be a truly ethical practice, there needs to be strict criteria that is

adhered to and does not allow individual conscience to appear. Competency is also involved

when considering the moral obligations of librarians to weed. Fulfilling all the job requirements

is expected of someone when they are hired and for a librarian this includes being trusted to do

what is in the library’s best interests.

Despite the negative connotations surrounding weeding, it is very clear to see that it is a

necessary and ethical practice. Chant suggests that if you’re facing opposition in regards to

weeding, to keep a few good examples lying around to showcase the necessity and moral

obligations of librarians to weed. A book entitled “How To Get More Fun Out Of Smoking” or a

medical text that states unequivocally “scientists do not believe HIV is transmitted through

sexual contact” are perfect examples of outdated materials that not only are a disservice to

patrons but could also get the institution in trouble if that kind of misinformation gets into the

wrong hands (Chant, 2015, p. 35-36). There are many factors to consider when discussing the

ethics of discarding library items but it is safe to say that overall, as long as the librarians are
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competent and the guidelines are adhered to, there is nothing unethical about weeding library

materials.
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References

Bazirjian, R. (1990). The Ethics of Library Discard Practices. The Acquisitions Librarian, 3,

135-146. Retrieved March 28, 2016, from

https://libres.uncg.edu/ir/uncg/f/R_Bazirjian_Ethics_1990.pdf.

Berry, J. N., III. (2013). The Weeding War. Library Journal, 138(18), 10-10. Retrieved March

28, 2016, from

http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.lib.usf.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=llf&AN=91632211

&site=ehost-live

Chant, I. (2015). The Art of Weeding. Library Journal, 140(11), 34-37. Retrieved March 28,

2016, from

http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.lib.usf.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=llf&AN=103343928

&site=ehost-live