SCHOOL OF LIBRAARY ARCHIVE AND DOCUMENTATION STUDIES

(SLADS) BAGAMOYO.

RESEARCH REPORT ON:

AN ASSESSMENT ON THE CHALLENGES FACING WEEDING

EXERCISE IN PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
A case study: National Central Library (NCL), Dar es Salaam.
A Research Report Submitted at School Of Library Archive And
Documentation Studies As Partial Fulfillment For The Award of An Ordinary
Diploma in Library, Records and Information Studies.
BY

RAYMOND MWIJAGE

JULAY, 2015

Certification
The undersigned certifies that he has read and hereby recommend for accepting by the
School of Library Archives and Documentation Studies (SLADS), this Research report
entitled assessing the challenges facing weeding exercise in public libraries. A case
study of National Central Library located at Dar es Salaam in partial fulfillment of the
requirement of the award for diploma in Library and documentation studies offered by
School of Library Archive and Documentation Studies.

..
MADAM.VICTORIA KESSY
(SUPERVISOR)

DATE

Declaration and Copyright

RAYMOND MWIJAGE declare this research report is my original work and that it has
not been presented and will not be presented to any other college or university for a
similar or any Diploma award.

Student signature..
Date

Raymond Mwijage.2015
All right reserved the research report is under copyright act protection of Tanzania in
that behalf of intellectual property. No part of this research report may be reproduced
stored in a retrieval systems or transmitted hired out or sold in any form by means of full
or in part except for the short extracts in fair dealing for research or private study critical
scholarly review or discourse with an acknowledgement without the written permission
of the School of Library Archives and Documentation Studies on behalf of the author.

Dedication
This research report is dedication to my lovely sister and brothers who supports me in
one way or another.

Acknowledgement
First of all, I would like to thanks God for this charm and wonder that enabled me to
accomplish this work.
I we special thanks to all library staff and library users of National Central Library for
allowing me to conduct my research study by obtaining required data.
I am very grateful to my supervisor, Madam Kessy for her good cooperation and
supervision and assisting me in conducting this research, my beloved aunt Jenerose
Hinju ,parents, sister Editha Mwijage, Edina Mwijage and all my brothers allowing me
to attend the course and their moral as well as financial support. I am also indebted to
the principal, Tutors and other works at the School of Library Archive and
Documentation Studies (SLADS) for their unlimited support. My final thanks go to all
my classmates for their heartfelt cooperation.
May God the almighty bless them all for helping me right from the starting to the end, I
can never be grateful enough for everything but God the gracious will reward them.

Table of Contents
Certification....................................................................................................... ii
Declaration and Copyright...................................................................................... iii
Dedication.......................................................................................................... iv
Acknowledgement................................................................................................. v
List of Table...................................................................................................... viii
List of figure....................................................................................................... ix
List of Abbreviation............................................................................................... x
Abstract............................................................................................................. xi
CHAPTER ONE................................................................................................... 1
1.0 Introduction.................................................................................................... 1
1.1. Background of the study.................................................................................... 1
1.2. Problem Statement........................................................................................... 3
1.3. Objective of the research................................................................................... 4
1.4. General objective of the research.........................................................................4
1.5. Specific Objectives.......................................................................................... 4
1.6. Research questions /Hypothesis...........................................................................4
1.7. Significance of the problem................................................................................4
1.8. Scope of the study........................................................................................... 5
1.9. Limitation of the study...................................................................................... 5
1.10. Key terms and Definition.................................................................................6
Definitions.......................................................................................................... 6
CHAPTER TWO.................................................................................................. 8
LITERATURE REVIEW........................................................................................ 8
2.0 Introduction.................................................................................................... 8
2.1 History of weeding process in public libraries..........................................................8
2.2 Conclusion................................................................................................... 14
CHAPTER THREE............................................................................................. 15
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.............................................................................15
3.0 Introduction.................................................................................................. 15
3.1 Research design............................................................................................. 15
3.2 Research type................................................................................................ 15
6

3.3 Area of Study................................................................................................ 15

3.4 Research population........................................................................................ 15
3.6: Sampling techniques..................................................................................... 16
3.7: Data collection methods................................................................................. 17
3.8: Research instruments...................................................................................... 18
3.9: Research ethics............................................................................................. 19
3.10: Data analysis.............................................................................................. 19
CHAPTER FOUR............................................................................................... 20
DATA ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION AND DISCUSION OF FINDING...........................20
4.0 Introduction.................................................................................................. 20
4.1 Data Presentation and Analysis..........................................................................20
4.2 Conclusion............................................................................................ 30
CHAPTER FIVE................................................................................................ 32
5.1 Summary................................................................................................... 32
5.2 Conclusion................................................................................................... 33
5.3 Recommendations........................................................................................ 33
APPENDEX I.................................................................................................... 34
References........................................................................................................ 34
APPENDEX II................................................................................................... 36
Bibliography...................................................................................................... 36
APPENDEX III................................................................................................. 37
Questionnaires for library staff...............................................................................37
APPENDEX IV.................................................................................................. 40
Questionnaires for library users...........................................................................40

List of Table
Table 1: Gender Distribution.
Table 2: Education level of respondent.
Table 3: Age of the Respondent.
Table 4: Situation of National Central Library collection as regards weeding.

List of figure
Figure 1: Availability of written library weeding policy.
Figure 2: Librarian attitude towards the value of library weeding policy
Figure3: Library users attitude towards the value of library weeding policy.
Figure 4: Methods used in developing library collection
Figure 5: Challenges that discourage weeding of library materials
Figure 6: Measure to be taken to overcome the challenges facing in weeding exercise.

List of Abbreviation
ICT- Information and Communication Technology.
NCL- National Central library,
TLSB-Tanzania Library service board.
CREW- Continuous Review Evaluation and Weeding.
SLADS-School of Library Archive and Documentation Studies

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Abstract
This study was conducted to examine challenges in weeding exercise at National Central
Library in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. According to the literature reviewed, it has been out
found weeding exercise is not easy task, there many challenges but it requires courage
and that most of public libraries weed irregularly and some do not weed at all that
encourage the existing of weeding challenges. One of the reasons is said to be lack of
written weeding policies.
In This study, a single case study used the qualitative research design. Simple random
technique and purposive sampling was used to get a sample size of 30respondents from
a population of 100 people. The sample constituted library staff and library users.
Questionnaires are used as data collection method or instrument for data collection,
tables and charts were obtained through the use of Microsoft excel.
This study show that there are difficulties is accessing information caused by poor
library condition, weeding is not practiced in public library.
The study also disclosed the major factors or challenges that hinder weeding practice at
National Central Library (NCL) such as Lock of weeding policy, Indecision in weeding
local material, No money to replace weeded materials , Fear of losing library materials,
Lack of storage available for weeded materials. The study recommended that the
institution should formulate written weeding policies that suit their libraries, conduct
user education, conduct evaluation and weeding on a continuous basis and set aside off
sight storage for weeded materials. If the recommendations are implemented, public
libraries will survey surely practice weeding in efficiently and hence provide quality
service to the users

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CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction
1.1. Background of the study
According to Prytherch. (2003), library is a collection of books and other literary
materials kept for reading, studying and consultation.
Public library is a library thats accessible by the general public and is generally funds
from public sources. Public library can be differentiated from other type of libraries
because they function to serve the needs of diverse service population including
children, student, professionals and the elderly. (Aina. 2003)
Public libraries serve the public at large, including those who are also served by other
types of libraries; they are used primarily by members of the local community in which
they are constructed and secondarily by members in communities in immediately
outlying areas.
The members of those communities are the service population of public libraries and
their needs affect the design and planning of public library spaces. For example, if a
community has a large population of young children, which can result from a
community with a high-quality elementary school system, the public library design must
address the needs of children and how they use libraries, i.e., story a-telling spaces,
books within easy reach for children, nap areas, etc. Whereas, a public library that
serves the needs of a community with a large population of elderly people will included
design criteria to meet their needs, i.e., easy access into the building, adequate lighting,
large-print media public libraries serve the public at large, including those who are also
served by other types of libraries, they are used primarily by members of the local
community in which they are constructed and secondarily by members in communities
in immediately outlying areas.

Weeding exercise is the practice of systematically examining and evaluating materials

already in one of the librarys collections. In weeding, the selected stuff determines
whether an individual item should be retained, rebound or withdrawn unwanted
material.
According to Urrizola, (1992) weeding started some years back. For example, by
427AD the library at Alexandria decided to contract out its annual weeding project to
vandal hordes who were the lowest bidder. This shows that weeding has been practiced
for a long time.
Weeding is the important and constructive process of clearing library media center
collection of materials that have outlived their usefulness. This team come from
gardening and means the same thing eliminating the unsuitable or unwanted. It is
carefully planned procedure that is as important as selecting and acquiring new quality
materials, printed and non- printed. Weeding should be done on a regular, continuous
basis (Stanley. 2006).
Storage site, another library or institution or book sale. It does not matter what kind of
secondary site is chosen for the housing of material that is no longer immediately
accessible to users.
Johnson. (2003), Show that weeding a library is like weeding a garden; one looks over
everything and carefully selects those things which need to be removed. In a library,
weeding is a shelf- by- shelf and book- by -book review and withdrawal of the certain
books from the librarys collection.
If fund are provided every year, acquisition are made and hence the collection grow.
The problem come that, if public libraries havent enough fund, weeding exercise will
become more difficult to be conducted in public libraries. (Kelly, 2006).
Johnson, (2003) explains that the collection ages if the librarians do not weed. The
collection gets small if weeding exercise take place or conducted in public libraries, the
collection become small because some other unwanted materials will be removed and
library remain with up-to-dated materials only. Small but high quality collection is
infinitely better.
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Route surveyed public and academic libraries to find out whether they practice weeding
or not, if is not which challenges facing public libraries in weeding exercise, how many
books they sent to storage and how many books they discarded, but his main purpose
was to determine the extent to which libraries use additional within a library space
(example, various shelving techniques, storage area and annexes) to cope with weeded
materials (Dilerco and Gottlieb, 2000).
Much has been written about policies for weeding materials, the evaluation of
collections paying special attention to age and use, the criterias used for weeding , the
benefits of weeding and so on. For example, Engel dinger (1986) asked a question about
the frequency of weeding reference materials, the reason for weeding, and the number of
volumes weeded annually and the percentage of reference volumes transferred to
calculating stock or discarded.
Dilerco and Gottliet. (1999), sum up by expressing that, rarer are surveys about how and
why libraries whether public or academic libraries weed. Very little has been written
about weeding library collection in Tanzania.
Thats why there a need to conduct this study to find out whether public libraries in
Tanzania conduct weeding or not.
In this case Fidishun. (2006) reveals that, Failure to weed irrelevant materials can
weaken the strength of the collection; unwedded collections look ugly and user
including the library staff will always face problems in locating the right materials.
1.2. Problem Statement
Weeding is the periodic and continual evaluation of your library resources with the goal
of removing obsolete, damage, and rarely used library materials.
However some of public libraries do not weed their collection and as a result the
collection become invisible, unattractive and inaccessible. Therefore this study aims at
assessing the challenges facing librarians in weeding exercise.

1.3. Objective of the research

1.4. General objective of the research

The general objective of the research is to investigate the challenge facing weeding of
library materials to any public libraries, a case study of Tanzania Library service board
(TLSB), Dar es Salaam.

1)
2)
3)
4)

1.5. Specific Objectives

To assess the use and implementation of library weeding policy.
To examine collection development methods used in developing library collection
To examine the challenges facing the weeding exercise.
To suggest measures to overcome challenges in weeding exercise.
1.6. Research questions /Hypothesis
The study is guided by the following hypothesis;

i. Does National Central library, (NCL) have some policies of weeding library materials?
ii. What collection development methods used in weeding of library materials at (NCL)?
iii. What are the challenges facing weeding practice in National Central library, (NCL)?
iv. To what measure can be taken to overcome the challenges of weeding exercise?
1.7. Significance of the problem
The finding of this research is result into libraries to find the possible measures of
solving problems which hinder the weeding exercise of library collections. Researchers
can suggest the possible solution to avoid challenges in weeding exercise
The study encourages information managers to advice the Government to allocate funds
so as to improve the service of the library, this help a library stuff to purchase current
library materials to avoid the challenges in removing of unwanted materials in library.
To provide theoretical knowledge on library management information especially
concerning with weeding practice in Tanzania library service board (TLSB) Dar es
salaam library collection and evaluation of library materials to overcome challenges
thats can occur during weeding exercise.

The finding of research also provide a light towards understanding challenges in

weeding exercise in public libraries and recommendation s made in this help the
organization, information center students, researcher and library stuff to keep up to date
4

library materials in public library which finally maximize challenges during weeding
exercise, that help public library users to get up to dated materials.
The researcher build an encouragement to other researcher to write more about the
challenges in weeding exercise to improve the quality of services provision of
information which is more up-to-dated through using computerized library system
.Computerized system help to avoid the problems in weeding exercise
The evaluation may provide the researcher with experience in research understandings.
Thats help the researchers to discover the new techniques on how to solve the problems
in weeding of library materials.
1.8. Scope of the study
The study was focus and concentrate on the challenges facing public libraries during
weeding exercise and the study cover only one public library which is National Central
Library (NCL) situated in Dar es salaam.
1.9. Limitation of the study
During conducting the study, there some limitations which occur as follow:Time;
The researcher face this problems because the time which located is not enough to cover
the selected population so as to get appropriate data, in order to get appropriate data
about a study, enough time must be located. Researching on challenges in weeding of
library materials need enough time.
Shortage of fund;
The researcher needs enough funds to meet several expenses including stationeries and
sometime air time to make appointments with respondents, all these need enough
money.

Reluctance of the staff and users;

Some librarians and other staff members are not willingly in answering the question that
researchers present to them or for engage in fully participating in the process of data
collection.
This study was been limited to the less cooperation between librarian and researcher,
library are responsible for the evaluation and making policy for weeding of library
materials or collection, but the library staff some time fail to provide detailed data about
the problem.
Data are collected by using different methods like interviewing, questionnaires and
direct observation.
1.10. Key terms and Definition
CREW- Continuous Review Evaluation and Weeding.
ICT- Information and Communication Technology.
NCL- National Central library,
TLSB-Tanzania Library service board.
Definitions
According Harrods. (1990), Library is an organized collection of information resources
made accessible to a defined community for reference or borrowing. It provides physical
or digital access to materials, and may be a physical building or room, or a virtual space,
or both.
Weeding is the process of removing books and other material from your collection that
normally fall under the MUSTIE. Weeding is defined as the ongoing process of
removing resources from the collection.

Weeding barrier
6

Wenger, (2011) weeding barriers defined as factors or challenges hinder the weeding of
library materials or library collection.
There many reasons that hinder weeding exercise, these include lock of enough fund ,
lock of polices on weeding exercise ,shortage of time to conduct weeding exercise,
weeded materials may be needed in the future; book are sacred objective.
Public library is a library thats accessible by the general public and is generally funds
from public sources (Aina, 2003).
Public library can be differentiated from other type of libraries because they function to
serve the needs of diverse service population including children, student, professionals
and the elderly.
Conclusion
This chapter contain the main topic of the research (statement of the problem), it show
picture on how researcher conduct his/her research and its solution about challenges
facing weeding exercise in public libraries.

CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.0 Introduction
This chapter presents the literature review, reflecting the specific objectives of this
study. The literature review is organized around broad themes such as the extent of
weeding practice, availability of written weeding policies, factors militating against
weeding in public libraries in developed and developing countries and view of different
library stakeholders on weeding. The following are the public libraries in the world
which were eventually narrowed to public libraries in Tanzania, some of books reviewed
include historical documents about weeding of the 1980s and 1990s including journals
and articles from the different website.
2.1 History of weeding process in public libraries.
According to Urrizola, (2001) weeding started some years back. For example, by
427AD the library at Alexandria decided to contract out its annual weeding project to
vandal hordes who were the lowest bidder. This shows that weeding has been practiced
for a long time.
Weeding is an ongoing process of removing resources from the collection. What is also
ongoing, unfortunately, is the recurring outcry from the public over weeded65resouses.
Vision of headlines such as Librarian Trashes precious books and score of parent
protestors guarding school dumpsters can turn even the most determined library media
specialist into an equally determined weeding procrastinator (Dickson, 2005).

2.1.1 Uses and implementation of library weeding policy.

Policy statement gives guidance to administrators and to the directors of the
organization the library serves. (Magrill, 1999).
8

They are written as guidelines and should be stated in broad terms that are neither too
restrictive nor too permissive.
Their purpose is not exact delineation but to provide signposts toward the
accomplishment of a miscellany of stated goals, whether these are for such variables as
in-service training of staff or building on the strengths of the collection.
Weeding is an integral part of the collection development process. Through periodic
weeding, obsolescent, damaged, ephemeral materials which are no longer in scope or
used are identified and withdrawn. Weeding helps to keep the collection update in areas
where newer material is needed when older editions have been removed, to ensure that
the collection remains responsive to the patrons' needs, and also to optimize the use of
space. Materials weeded may be relegated, used for gifts and exchange, or discarded,
and the decision is discretionary.
A weeding policy formalize the recognition of the need for weeding
Among all the parties concerned, establish criteria methodology and procedure to be
used in the weeding exercise and above all, it was been establish the final authority for
weeding decisions.
Berthlot, (2008) say that the weeding policy could be in a part of selection policy.
Weeding is like selection of library materials, requires a clearly written policy to help
librarian make decision about weeding.
According to Samson, (2007) say that, librarys primary task is to select, maintain, and
provide access to relevant and representative information resources. Due to
technological developments in Tanzania, libraries are in the main moving from holdings
(just in case) to access (just in time) strategies.
This implies that collection policies are significantly changing and that library need to
disseminate widely information on their collecting policies. A policy statement is a kind
of framework and set of parameters which staff and users work.
It serves many functions beyond being simply a tool for selection of materials. In
addition to describing current collections, it force the staff involved to (re) consider the
9

aim and objectives of the organization, both long and short term, and the priorities to be
attached to different activities. It assists with budgeting, serves as communication
channel within the library, supports cooperative collection development and assists in
overall collection management activities including the handling of gift, deselection of
materials and serial cancellations.
2.1.2 Collection Development Methods used in weeding library materials
According to Larson, (2008) for more than 30 years, The CREW Method has provided
guidance to librarians and staff in small and medium sized public libraries about how to
cull outdated and no longer useful materials from their library materials to facilitate their
collection development. Since its inception in 1996, The CREW Method has become the
benchmark tool for weeding library collections. It has been more than a decade since the
first revised edition brought technology and online catalogs into the process. This new
edition, called CREW: A Weeding Manual for Modern Libraries, builds on the work of
Joseph P. Segal and Belinda Boon. Although much of the basic information remains the
same, the impact of changes in technology and its effect on public library collection
development has been taken into consideration. The CREW guidelines by Dewey Class
have been expanded even further and updated to reflect current practices. New sections
have been added that explain in more detail the MUSTIE factors and types of disposal.
According to Lettow, (2005) if a Public library media center or community library
resource center chooses to use a combination of objective and subjective methods for
weeding.
Subjective weeding is based on the individual judgment of the library staff with or
without assistance from the faculty. The faculty may be asked for an opinion on items
about which the librarian or library media specialist is unsure.
Some authors suggest having the faculty member(s) make a preliminary judgment which
the librarian then checks.
However, major changes in the faculty recommendation can lead to poor public relations
unless the librarian makes the goals and guidelines very clear and nonthreatening.

10

Faculty members could be asked to discuss their recommendations with the librarian.
They may need a "don't know" category in addition to the "retain" and "discard"
categories.
Objective weeding involves setting a specific objective guideline such as the age of the
item, how many times it has been used in a given period, or how recently it has been
checked out.
Essentially the librarian predicts that new items and/or recently checked out items will
be checked out often in the future. Research appears to indicate that items not checked
out in the past ten years are not likely to be used in the future. For curriculum related
materials in a school or community college library media center the time may be much
shorter than that. Even one year of non-circulation can give a clue on changes in
direction of curriculum and consequent lack of use. According to research, the age of an
item can also be useful in predicting frequency of check out, but it is less accurate than
previous check outs in making such predictions.
The best method to weed Library materials which denigrated groups such as women and
minorities are to exercise care in selection. The National Council of Teachers of English
and specific social group guidelines have been widely used to help in selection of library
and text materials which are issue-fair. Tools such as these can also be used for weeding
(Buckingham, 1994).
Probably most weeding of such materials should occur as better replacement materials
are available and as items were considered for weeding hence development of library
collection.

2.1.3 The challenges facing librarians during weeding Exercise.

According to Rosenberg and Samson, (2000) Librarian face different challenges in
weeding their collection and at same time librarians fear the followings to occur;
Procrastination, staff resistance, negative reaction of users and administration,
reluctance to admit selection mistakes, time consuming, fear of weeding materials thats
11

needed by users, Cost, Sacred, quality of books, FEAR Anything is better than nothing

The library collection is not a static collection and must remain fluid as the goals and
information needs of NOAA staff and library users change.
The problem was to demonstrate the kind of books thats weeded. As was already stated,
weeding can be one of the more difficult collection development processes. In the final
analysis whether or not a book should be weeded is always a judgment call. Yet the
experience of most librarians is that attractive, smaller new collections were generally
circulated better than larger, dilapidated and old collections. Thus, libraries and their
governing authorities sometimes are pulled between the desire to keep materials, "just in
case someone needs them," and the desire to have an attractive and useful collection.
This dichotomy leads to some of the problems that people have when weeding.
However collection weeding in Tanzania university libraries is rather an urgent matter. It
is fair to argue that maintaining obsolete library stock does not contribute to fulfilling
information needs and does more harm to the already tainted image of the university
libraries. A number of reasons can be cited to illustrate why it is important to Tanzania
university libraries to weed their collection. The first reason has to do with the cost of
134maintainance and storage for weeded materials. (Stanley, 2006).
There are need for staff to be employed to constantly wide materials to get a rid of dust,
which is a major problem in the tropics, and arrange them systematically on the shelves.
These are labour intensive activities which consume a sizable part of the library budget.
Three of public libraries from Tanzania reported shortage of space for their newly
acquired materials and therefore it is unwise for the already scarce apace to be used on
outdated, unused materials and therefore systematic weeding of present collections
which facilitate more effective space utilization.
2.1.4 Measures to Overcome Challenges in Weeding Exercise.
According to Julie, (2001) The only measure thats can be taken to solve different
problems associated with weeding exercise is that,

librarians have been a major

influence on arid are crucial to the evolution of library technician programs and are
responsible for many of the changes in direction and development.
As described earlier, librarians are in the majority on individual program advisory
committees and usually teach librarianship courses in most programs. In the broader
12

world of the profession, librarians, with some input from library technicians, have
decided which roles are appropriate to various staff levels.
Librarians have designed provincial and national program guidelines, suggested
accreditation procedures, and spearheaded certification attempts, all of which have an
impact on curriculum. While library technician associations have been consulted or
included, librarians are always in the majority on these committees.
Jeffer, (1998) explain that the weeding should be done on regular in order to overcome
the challenge that are occur when weeding in a long period of time, continuous basis.
Also discuss on different things to know when need triumph over challenges in weeding
exercise as follow;
Temperature and humidity in the tropics tend to be very high and hence chemical
reaction

involving printed material tends to be very high and this encourages the

growth of biological agents such as moulds and fungi which severely damage materials.
High temperature also leads to brittleness in paper. Therefore the problem of fungi,
mould and brittleness of paper are common preservation problems in all Tanzania
university libraries examined. During dry weather which is common in some areas of
Tanzania and other countries in Africa, Library materials are also victims of dust and
dirt particles that accumulate in the library buildings and which when unchecked
obliterates pages and leave dirty marks on books. There have been reported cases of
exerting undue mechanical pressure book during photocopying and reading, carrying of
books by students home in bare hands thus making 136 them susceptible to damage in
case they fall, being rained on and exposure to light.
Even when browsing on the shelves several books are said to fall down daily, which
adds to the problem of mishandling. University libraries in Tanzania have been involved
in various preservation activities. However the commonest measure includes rebinding,
regular repairs, educating the users on preserving of library materials and microfilming.
Rebinding is done on new materials that may be in spiral binding forms, files, or
extremely soft paper cover before releasing them for use to make them resilient to the
rough and tumble of library use. One chief librarian observed that the saving made
13

instead of buying new materials justifies costs involved in binding. Librarians also
undertake periodic identification in the course of circulation or shelving of library
materials that required minor repair and binding which have become too worn out to
offer protection to the text block of the book. Binding is also done on serial items such
as journal and newspaper.
2.2 Conclusion
This chapter provides the views of different scholars who wrote about weeding exercise
in libraries weeding exercise, reason for weeding, steps to consider when weeding, and
obstacles for weeding have been discussed
Weeding a librarys collection can be a daunting task, particularly if some time has
passed since all or part of the collection has been critically evaluated. The busy
environment of a typical public and academic libraries only adds to the complexity of
this task. Library staff sometimes finds it difficult simply to keep up with day to-day
operations, but maintaining an up to date and useful collection must be top priority for
any librarian who desires to successfully fulfill the information needs of her community
of users. One useful method of managing a large scale and massive weeding project is to
follow a systematic series of steps such as that outline in the CREW Method.
Breaking the weeding process down into manageable parts assist library staff to gain a
sense of completion, while at the same time ensuring that professional collection
development standard are met and maintained. The result was been a collection to be
proud (Boon, 1999).

CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.0 Introduction
Research methodology is the way to systematically solve the research problems. It is the
science of studying how research is done scientifically. This chapter is all about the
methods that was been used to collect data. In addition it explains the research design,
14

area of study, sampling technique methods of data collection as well as data analysis
technique (Kothari, 2004).
3.1 Research design
According to Kothari (2004) Research design is the arrangement of condition for
collection and analysis of data in a manner that aim to combine relevance to the research
purpose with economy in procedure.
Researcher uses a case study design in making or conducting a research.
3.2 Research type
This study was use qualitative type of research in data collection. Qualitative research is
the approach usually associated with the social constructivist paradigm which
emphasizes the socially constructed nature of reality. It is about recording, analyzing and
attempting to uncover the deeper meaning and significance of human behavior and
experience, including contradictory beliefs, behaviors and emotions. Researchers are
interested in gaining a rich and complex understanding of peoples experience and not in
obtaining information which can be generalized to other larger groups.
3.3 Area of Study
The area of study was been at Tanzania Library service board (TLSB), Dar es Salaam
Tanzania. The purpose of selecting this area (TLSB) is the familiarity of researcher with
the study area and availability of library materials.
3.4 Research population
According to Singth, (2007) research population is generally a large collection of
individuals or objects that is the main focus of a scientific query. It is for the benefit of
the population that researches are done.

However, due to the large sizes of populations, researchers often cannot test every
individual in the population because it is too expensive and time-consuming. This is the
reason why researchers rely on sampling techniques.
The populations of study were including librarians and library user estimate 100
respondents total of population. This population was being selected because they are
15

targeted group of this study expected to provide information. The researcher was using
this method in order to obtain first hand information from the interviewee, since
interviewee will provide data from personal understanding. This was involved library
staff, library users, and researchers.
3.5: Sample size
A sample simply refers to the subset of the whole population within the area of research
study. This study was uses thirty (30) respondents representing the whole population
within the study area. Out of the said twenty (30) total respondents, fifteen (10) was
been librarians representing whole librarians at Tanzania library service board (TLSB)
and the rest (20) was been library users.
3.6: Sampling techniques
Sampling is the technique used to select a small group with a view of determining the
characteristics of a large group. Advantage of sampling techniques was to save time in
conducting a research, thats help, a researcher to obtain different data or information in
a specific time. The researcher was use simple random sampling techniques in order to
give a chance to every respondent of being selected to participate in a research
(Bartizan, 2008).
Kothari (2005), state that simple random sampling provides equal chance to every
member in the population to be selected to represent the whole population.
Crossman, (2001) states that purposive sample, also commonly called a judgmental
sample, and is one that is selected based on the knowledge of a population and the
purpose of the study. The subjects are selected because of some characteristic.

Field researchers are often interested in studying extreme or deviant cases that is, cases that
dont fit into regular patterns of attitudes and behaviors. By studying the deviant cases,
researchers can often gain a better understanding of the more regular patterns of behavior.

In this study simple random technique and purposive sampling was been used.

16

3.7: Data collection methods

Data collection sources into two approaches these are primary data and secondary data.
Primary method was been involve in the collection of data fresh from the field while
secondary methods was involves the use of data from another finding (Aina, 2008).
The methods of collecting data that was been used by a researcher include both primary
and secondary sources of information. Primary data is expected to be collected from
respondent, while secondary data was been obtained from different documents such as
reports, weeding policy papers etc.
In the process of conducting the research, researcher was been employ a number of
methods which includes interview and questionnaire.
3.7.1 Interview method
According Donna, and Linda, (2004), interview is a face to face interaction between a
person who seeking for information and the person who some of merits of interview
method is more information in greater depth is obtained. Interviewer by his own skills
can overcome the resistance if any, of respondent if any as the interview method can be
made yield an almost perfect sample of the general population and sample can be
controlled more effectively as there arise no difficult of the missing returns, non
response generally remains very low.
Importances of interview method in collecting data.
It has definite values for diagnosis of emotional problems and for therapeutic treatments.
It is one of the major bases upon which counseling procedures are carried out.
It provides information to supplement other methods of collecting data.

3.7.2 Questionnaire method

Greiner, (2007), state that, questionnaire is a method in which is used to find answers of
different questions by using a forms in which a respondent has to fill in himself. The
questionnaires were distributed to 30 respondents who fill in right answers on their own
time and return questionnaires to the researcher. The questionnaires were being
17

distributed to the librarian and students. This method has the advantage of being free
from bias of the respondents, and also provides enough time for responding to
questionnaires.
Advantages of using questionnaire method.
The researcher is able to contact large numbers of people quickly, easily and efficiently
using a postal questionnaire (since all he / she has to do is identify the group that were
being targeted and post them the list of questions).
Questionnaires are relatively quick and easy to create code and interpret (especially if
closed questions are used). In addition, the respondent - not the researcher - does the
time-consuming part of completing the questionnaire.
A questionnaire is easy to standardize. For example, every respondent is asked the same
question in the same way. The researcher, therefore, can be sure that everyone in the
sample answers exactly the same questions, which makes this a very reliable method of
research.
Large amounts of information were being collected from a large number of people in a
short period of time.
The results of the questionnaires usually are quickly and easily quantified by either a
researcher or through the use of a software package.
They permit respondents time to consider their responses carefully without interference
3.8: Research instruments.
The method of collecting data was been interview and questionnaire methods as the
instrument of data collection during the study.

3.9: Research ethics

The researcher was collect data from all people that are necessary to collect data from
disregarding age, sex, race or religion. The researcher ensures the respondent that
information collected was treated with confidentially. This situation helps researcher to
get enough and relevant information from respondent.

18

3.10: Data analysis

Data collection was been coded and classified in order to get valid and accurate data.
For this case, frequency table and computer programmed like MS excel was been used
in analyzing and presentation of data.

CHAPTER FOUR
DATA ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION AND DISCUSION OF FINDING
4.0 Introduction
4.1 Data Presentation and Analysis
This chapter presents and analyses the data of the study. The study sought to examine
challenge facing weeding exercises at National Central Library, Dar es Salaam. The
findings were collected and were analyzed according to the specific objective of this
research. This study consist thirty (30) respondents represented the whole population
within the study area. Out of the said thirty (30) total respondents, ten (10) of them were
librarians represented whole librarians at National Central Library (NCL) and the rest
twenty (20) were library users. The presentation of findings is presented in figures and
tables.
19

.4.1 Demographic characteristics of respondents.

This part is about the general number of respondents information of gender to those
respondents (librarians and library users) form (NCL) who filled the questionnaires. It
important in understand the general characteristics of the research population under
study and also to justify the type of answers. The demographic information obtained was
gender, education level and age. The results are shown in tables below;4.1.1

Gender

Table 1: Gender distribution

Type

of

respondents
Librarian

Library users

Gender

Frequency

Percentage

Male
Female

6
4

60
40

Total

10

100

Male
Female

8
12

40
60

20

100

Total
Source: Field Data, (2015)

The findings on table 1 shows that (6)60% of the librarian were male, while female were
(4)40% out of 10 Librarian this reveals that few female were involved on this study
compared to men.
Library users which is Female were (12)60% out of 20, while male were (8)40% out of
20 Library users, this reveals that many library users which is female were involved on
this study compared to men.
4.1.2

Education level of respondents

This part is concern with respondents information about the level of education to those
respondents who filled the questionnaires.
Table 2: Education level of respondents
Type of

Level of education

Respondents
20

Frequency

Percentage (%)

Librarian

Library Users

Certificate
Diploma
Post graduate
Masters
Total
Primary level

3
6
1
_
10
1

30
60
10
_
100
5

Secondary level
Certificate
Diploma
Total

6
4
9
20

30
20
45
100

Source: Field Data, (2015)

The findings above reveled that 6(60%) of librarian had Diploma Education, this means
that Librarians with Diploma level were provide enough needed information. The
researcher revealed that Certificate level holders (3)30% that were many compared to
post graduate holders and many of them were the tutors at the college.
This level of education is compared good for the research as the respondents are
educated and they are capable of giving relevant information about the problem under
investigation and the least 1(10%) has post graduate compare to other which is diploma
and certificate level. Also in this research, Library users were involved in which the
highest number of them has a Diploma level which is 9(45%) this show that library
users with diploma level involved in this study compared to library users with
Secondary level 6(30%) those library users help a researcher to obtain relevant and
needed information but 4(20%) library users with certificate level was not much
involved in this research compared to Diploma level.
4.1.3 Age of the Respondents
This part deal with respondents (Librarians and Library users) a information about the
consideration of age to those respondents who filled the questionnaire
Table 3: Age of the Respondents
N= 30
Age interval

Frequency
21

Percentage

20-29

10

30-39

17

56.7

40-49

23.3

50-59

10

TOTAL

30

100

Source: Field Data, (2015)

The result on table 3 shows that the age interval of 30 - 39 were (17)56.7% out of 30,
while20 29 were (3)10% out of 30 respondents, and 40 -49 were (7)23.3% thus reveals
the souls of the researcher that, the age interval of 30 39 would provide relevant and
accurately information that were involved on this study compared to that interval of 20
29 and 50 59

4.1.4 Availability of Written Library Weeding Policy

This was the first specific objective which aimed to find out strategies used in weeding
of library collection in public libraries. This question was deal with librarians and library
users which aimed to see if public libraries have policies that govern the process of
weeding library collection. The results are as shown in the figure 1 below
Figure 1: Availability of Written Library Weeding Policy.

22

60

56.7

50
43.3

40
30
FREQUENCES

20
6

10

YES

13

NO

0
LIBRARIAN

LIBRARY USERS

PERCENTAGE

Respondents

Source: Field data (2015)

The finding of figure 4.2 above shows that 4 Librarians and 13 library users equal to
56.7% of all responses from the respondents which is librarians and library users said
that, there are no written weeding policies that provides guidelines for weeding library
materials and (13), 6 librarian and 7 Library users equal to 43.3% of all respondents,
said that there are written weeding policies that provides guidelines for weeding library
materials.
According to the graph above and from the analysis of the questionnaires collected the
researcher seen that the library is operating it policies in low rate and it is true that, the
library havent enough materials to satisfy library user needs.

The researcher revealed that public libraries must be governed by policy according to a
particular law in order to obtaining education that could help them master weeding
process and for the development of all aspects of library such as collection development,
users needs satisfaction, and economically.
4.1.5 Librarian attitude towards the value of library weeding policy.
Librarians were asked to say together they think weeding policy is very important to
public libraries.
23

FIGURE 2: Librarian attitude towards the value of library weeding policy

80

80
70
60
50
40

Frequences

30
20
10

RESPONDENT

Column1

20
2

0
YES

NO
Responses

Source: Field data (2015)

The figure 2 above shows the responses from the respondents(librarians) whose
responded to this question, 80% believe that weeding of library materials is very
important to any public libraries and 20% of respondents said weeding of library
materials is not important to public libraries by providing different reason why weeding
is not important to public libraries, they say excluding books in the library, you may find
you remove library materials that was been in use later by other readers, it is required
not to Withdraw any books because it can be used by other scholars
4.1.6 Library users attitude towards the value of library weeding policy.
Library users were asked to say together they think weeding policy is very important to
public libraries.
FIGURE3: Library users attitude towards the value of library weeding policy.

24

Frequences

70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

35
RESPONSES

13

YES 65

Column1

NO
Responses

Source: Field data (2015)

The figure 3 above shows the responses from the respondents (library users at National
Central Library) whose responded to this question, 65% of library users believe that
weeding of library materials is very important to any public libraries and 35% of
respondents who is library users, said that weeding of library materials is not important
to public libraries by providing different reason why weeding is not important to public
libraries, they say excluding books in the library, you may find you remove that was
been in use later by other readers, it is required not to Withdraw any books because it
can be used by other scholars. This is the same with answers form librarians because
and them provide those reasons why they not believe that weeding of library materials is
very important for satisfaction of their needs (user needs) from National Central Library
(NCL).

From this point of view the researcher concludes that, librarians as a profession know
different importance of weeding library collection thats very important in satisfaction of
patron needs and this may be because librarians themselves have done this to make their
profession known and respected like other professions within and around library
environment by providing better and relevant services to their users.
25

4.1.7 Methods used in developing library collection

This question was posted to both librarian and library users from National Central
Library aimed at getting the opinions on the methods used their library collection.
FIGURE 4: Methods used in developing library collection

Key
100

90

80
Frequences

60
YES
40
20

10

17

NO

10

0
LIBRARIAN

LIBRARY USERS

PERCENTAGE

Respondents

Source: Field data (2015)

A large number of respondents has spoken that collection development method are used
during weeding process at National Central Library were10 librarians and 17 library
users equal to 90% of all respondents, they grew with each public library collection
development consumed in the whole exercise of weeding process, but 10% of
respondents said that totally not collection development method for weeding exercise in
public libraries,

This study show that National Central Library (NCL) use different and relevant
collection development methods during weeding Exercise.
This helps librarian to meet library user needs because by using good collection
development help librarians to acquire relevant information materials thats make a
library to be kept with up to date materials.
26

4.1.8 Situation of National Central Library collection as regards weeding exercise.

This question was posted to Librarians and Library users aiming to know the situation of
National Central Library regards weeding exercise
Table 4: Situation of National Central Library collection as regards weeding
exercise.

Type of respondents

Responses

Frequency

Percentage (%)

good
Very good

2
7

20
70

Fair

10

poor
Total
Extremely

10
6

100
30

good
Very good

11

55

Fair

10

poor

Total

20

100

Extremely
Librarian
N=10
Library users
N=20

Source: Field data (2015)

Findings show that 7(70%) of Librarians mentioned that the most of public libraries
regards weeding very good,2(20%) say that public libraries regard weeding exercise
Extremely good and 1(10%) say that weeding exercise regarded Fairly. From the above
findings show that many public libraries like National Central Library regard weeding
very good that make the to be kept with update and relevant information resources. Also
11(55%) of library users say that weeding exercise at National Central Library (NCL)
regard weeding very good, 6(30%) of library users say that weeding exercise at National
Central Library (NCL) regarded extremely good and 2(10%) say that weeding exercise
are regard fairly.
27

From the above findings, researcher comments that weeding exercise is regarded very
well due to the responses of many respondents who say that weeding are regarded very
well at National Central Library (NCL).
4.1.9 Challenges that discourage weeding of library materials
This question was posted to Librarians aims to identify the problems or challenges
facing librarian during the whole exercise of weeding library collection.
Figure 5: Challenges that discourage weeding of library materials
60
50

50
40
30
20

20
10
0

10
2

10
1

10

RESPONSE
Column2

Source: Field data (2015)

The finding of figure 2, above shows that (5)5% respondents said lack of weeding
policy is the one of the biggest challenge in weeding library collection at National
Central Library, (2)10% of the total respondents say that time in weeding local materials
was the one of challenges in weeding library collection, lack of money to replace
weeded materials and fear of losing library materials is the challenges at NCL where
possess ten percents (1) (10%) per each.

28

This situation made a researcher to conclude that librarians are faced with many
challenges such as lack of weeding policy, Time for weeding library collection and
Indecision in weeding local materials, where lack of weeding policy is the biggest
problem or challenge at National Central Library (NCL) that resulted to poor services
provision. The government should add effort in both public and academic libraries in
order to improve educational quality to the society.
4.1.10 Measure to be taken to overcome the challenges facing in weeding exercise.
This question was posted to both librarian and library users from National Central
Library aimed at getting the opinions of respondents if the library has Measures taken to
overcome challenges in weeding exercise.
FIGURE 6:

Measure to be taken to overcome the challenges facing in weeding

exercise.
80

70

60
40
Frequency

20

13

30
7

NO

0
LIBRARIAN

LIBRARY USERS

YES

PERCENTAGE

Respondents

Source: Field data (2015)

Among 30 respondents which are Librarians and library users, 21 respondents (8

Librarians and 13 Library users) which is equivalent to 70% have said that there are
methods used to avoid the problems that arise in the whole exercise of removing unused
library materials (weeding of library materials). Whereas 30% equal to (2 Librarians and
29

7 Library users) of the total of all respondents (30) have said absolutely no way or
methods used to avoid problems during the weeding exercise.
In their statements they say absolutely there is whole exercise of weeding of library at
the National Central Library, Dar es Salaam. Weeding library extremely, encouraging
Librarians to regard weeding as a part of collection development and provision of
weeding education to librarians and library users on the importance of weeding library
collection are the measure thats can be used to overcome all challenges in weeding
exercise.
4.2 Conclusion
Weeding continues to be an important component of collection development,
particularly in public libraries where the most recent information is needed for decision
making and where retention of out-dated materials may have critical consequences, such
as an outmoded method of therapy being employed as the result of dated material kept
on the shelf. Reclaiming shelf space for collection growth is also an important benefit of
weeding, as is identification of materials needing repair or replacement. Despite its
benefits, many libraries do not undertake comprehensive weeding projects due to the
staff time required to conduct such a project. Other factors discouraging weeding may
be institutional or governmental policies regarding disposal of purchased materials and
fear of faculty dissatisfaction about materials weeded from the collection.
During the project, we learned that comprehensive weeding requires a considerable
amount of staff time. It is relatively easy to underestimate the amount of time needed to
review an entire book and to withdraw materials identified for weeding. We also learned
that communication with the library's clientele during the weeding project was
especially important.

We communicated information about weeding progress by frequent articles in the

library's monthly newsletter, through the library's Website, and by marking materials
identified for weeding with a bookmark.
30

With any weeding project, librarians run the risk of withdrawing material from the
library's collection that may become useful in the future for historical reasons. However,
the weeding project at the Briscoe Library has resulted in opening up shelf space by
removing dated, damaged, and little-used materials from the shelf, and these benefits must
be weighed against the risk of withdrawing material that may be needed in the future.

CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY OF FINDING, CONCLUSION AND RECOMENDATIONS FOR
FURTHER STUDY

31

5.1 Summary
The study examined the challenges in weeding practice to selected public library, Nation
Central Library (NCL) in particular. The main purpose was to find out whether or not
weeding is practiced and if so, whether it is done particularly, and if not what should be
done. Other objective is to determine the use and implementation of library weeding
policy; to examine collection development methods used in developing library
collection at Nation Central Library; to find out the challenges facing the weeding
exercise; suggesting the possible measures to overcome challenges in weeding exercise
at Nation Central Library and finally is to find out the views of librarians and library
users of selected public library on the challenges in weeding exercise.
Weeding exercise must be regarded as a continuously process at National Central
Library thus help users who are in need of accessing materials are in position of getting
relevant information materials. Based on the study, most of respondents say that
weeding exercise at National Central Library regard weeding very well.
Most of respondents say that National Central Library do not have written weeding
policies used in weeding exercise. Written weeding policies are very important to
Librarians for conducting weeding exercise at National Central Library.
The most weeding challenges

at National Central Library is absence of weeding

policies thats used to guide Liberians to conduct weeding exercise. Weeding policy help
librarian to weed their library collection and keep their collection with update and
relevant information materials.
Library staff who works in National Central Library must formulate different measures
that can be used to overcome the challenges facing Librarians during weeding exercises.
Finally, based on the study findings, it is recommended that public library must work
hard to triumph over the challenges in weeding exercise in order to allow quality service
within public libraries.
5.2 Conclusion
It is obvious from the study that quality education about weeding exercise must be
provided to both librarians and library users, librarian able to know the importance of
32

weeding their library collection and library users satisfy their need by obtaining relevant
information resources within the library.
It can be conclude that although the state of the library is poor as regards weeding due to
the existence of many damaged materials outdated and irrelevant materials and books
are congested on the shelves because the weeding was not practiced. These encourage
the continuation of challenges in weeding exercise.
5.3 Recommendations
Based on the study findings, the researcher was able to make the following
recommendations:
a. The library should establish weeding policy to provide guidelines, public relation, and
security for librarians.
b. To encourage the use of collection development methods in public libraries for
developing library collection.
c. To implement different methods on how to overcome challenges facing public libraries
during weeding exercise.
d. To encourage librarians to implement different measures for the aim of overcoming
challenges in weeding exercise.
5.4 Area for further study
A further study should be done to find out the reason as to why these public libraries
have no tendency of coping with ongoing weeding exercise is it because of financial
problem?
A further study should be done to determine the effectiveness or efficiency of
management Library materials in public libraries in making sure the available of
Relevant and update information materials.
Finally a further study should be done to see as to why there is the challenge in weeding
exercise to public libraries while many library users need to obtain relevant and update
information materials.

33

APPENDEX I
References
Aina, L. O. (1993). The challenges of the emerging market and the education and training of
information professionals in Africa. Journal of Librarianship and Information science.
Baumach.D.J. (2006). Less is more: A practical guide to weed school library collection.

New York: America library association.

Berthlot. J. (2008). A written collection development policy: to have and not.
Boon. B. (1999). The CREW method: Expanded guidelines for collection evaluation and
weeding of small and medium sized public libraries.
Buckingham. J. (1994). Weeding the library media center collection 2 nd ed, State of
IOWA Department of education: Northern IOWA.
Davidson. A. (2003). Managing and analyzing your collection: A practical guide for
small library and School media center.
Dickson. G. & Mutula. S.M. (2005). Discard and disposal of library properties policy,
2nd ed, American Library association.
Dilerco. A and Gottlieb.F. (2000). Where Do I Start: A Public Library Handbook, Santa
Clara County Office of Education, Linworth.
Fidishun.B. (2006). Old forms new forms: the challenge of collection development:
College and Research Libraries.
Greiner.T.H. (2007). Analyzing library collection use with excel, American Library
Association.
Jagannathan.D (2001). Library Collection Management 101 spring, California, State
Librarian.
Jeffer.P. (1998). The CREW Method: Expanded Guidelines for Collection Evaluation
and Weeding for Small and Medium-Sized Public Libraries, Texas State Library: Dar es
Salaam.
Johnson.L.E (2003). Old forms new forms: the challenge of collection development:
College and Research Libraries.

Julie I. (2001). The new planning for results: A streamlined approach, 2 nd ed, American
Library association, Chicago.
34

Kothari C. R (2003). Research methodology: Methods and techniques. New Delhi: New
Age International Publishers.
Larson. J. (2008). CREW: a weeding manual for modern libraries, Texas State Library
and Archives Commission, Austin.
Larson.B. (2008). CREW: a weeding manual for public and modern libraries: Texas:
Texas State Library and Archives.
Lettow. L (2005), weeding the library media center collection 2nd ed, State of IOWA
Department of education: Northern IOWA.
Magrill.L. (2005). Library collection development policies: Public, Academic and
Special Libraries. Scarecrow Press, Public relation and library weeding.
Okoro .D. (1999). Letting Go: How a librarian weeded public Magazine collection,
Public library journals.
Rosenberg, D. and Samson.B. (2000). University libraries in Africa: a review of their
current state and future potential. London: International African Institute.
Rosenberg, D. and Samson.B. (2000). University libraries in Africa: a review of their
current state and future potential. London: International African Institute.
Slote.S.J. (1999). Weeding library collections: library weeding method, 4 th ed, library
unlimit At kinson, R. 1989. Old forms new forms:
Stanley. J. (2006). Weeding Library Collections, Dar es Salaam: Libraries Unlimited

35

APPENDEX II
Bibliography
Barr, Catherine and John T. Gillespie. Best Books for Children: Preschool Through Grade 6,
Supplement to the 8thEdition. Libraries Unlimited, 2007.
Boon. B. (1999). The CREW method: Expanded guidelines for collection evaluation and
weeding of small and medium sized public libraries
Buckingham. J. (1994). Weeding the library media center collection 2 nd ed, State of IOWA
Department of education: Northern IOWA.
Davidson. A. (2003). Managing and analyzing your collection: A practical guide for small
library and School media center.
Dickson. G. & Mutula. S.M. (2005). Discard and disposal of library properties policy, 2 nd ed,
American Library association.
Fidishun.B. (2006). Old forms new forms: the challenge of collection development: College
and
Research Libraries
Greiner.T.H. (2007). Analyzing library collection use with excel, American Library
Association.
Jeffer.P. (1998). The CREW Method: Expanded Guidelines for Collection Evaluation and
Weeding for Small and Medium-Sized Public Libraries, Texas State Library: Dar es
Salaam.
Rosenberg, D. and Samson.B. (2000). University libraries in Africa: a review of their current
state and future potential. London: International African Institute.
Magrill.L. (2005). Library collection development policies: Public, Academic and Special
Libraries. Scarecrow Press, Public relation and library weeding.
Lettow. L (2005), weeding the library media center collection 2nd ed, State of IOWA
Department of education: Northern IOWA.
Kothari C. R (2003). Research methodology: Methods and techniques. New Delhi: New Age
International Publishers.
Fidishun.B. (2006). Old forms new forms: the challenge of collection development: College
and

Research Libraries

APPENDEX III

36

Questionnaires for library staff

I am a diploma student at the school of library Archives and Documentation studies
conducting a research on the challenges in weeding of library materials (removing
unwanted materials from library collection). I would appreciate it if you could spare a
bit of your time to fill in this questionnaires. The information provided was remaining
confidential.
1. Gender (please tick appropriate answer)
Female (
)
Male
(
)
2. What is your professional qualification in librarianship?
A) Certificate
B) Diploma
c) Post graduate
d) Degree
3. Age (please tic k appropriate answer)
Below 20years
(
)
20 29 years
(
)
30 39years
(
)
4049years
(
)
5059years
(
)

4. Does your library posses a written weeding policy that provides guidelines
for weeding library materials?
a) Yes
(
)
b) No
(
)
5. Does NCL have any collection development methods used during weeding process?
a) Yes (
)
b) No

6. What challenges discourage the weeding of library materials? (Please circle

a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)

appropriate answers).
Time
Indecision in weeding local material
No money to replace weeded materials
Lock of weeding policy
Fear of losing library materials
Lack of storage available for weeded materials
Reluctance due to fear that materials might be needed for the future.
37

Other please specify

7. Are any measure taken to overcome challenges in weeding process?
a) Yes
(
)
b) No
(
)

38

8. What is situation of National Central Library collection as regards weeding?

(Indicate your answer by using the scale provided).
a) Extremely good
( )
b) Very good
( )
c) Fair
( )
d) Poor
( )
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION.

APPENDEX IV
Questionnaires for library users

39

I am a diploma student at the school of library Archives and Documentation studies

conducting a research on the challenges in weeding of library materials (removing
unwanted materials from library collection). I would appreciate it if you could spare a
bit of your time to fill in this questionnaire. The information provided was remaining
confidential.

1. Gender (please tick appropriate answer)

Male
( )
Female
( )
2. How often do you use the library?
(a) Every day
(b) Once a day
(c) Once a month
[
]
(d) Once a year
(e) Occasionally
(f) Not at all
3.
a)
b)
4.
a)

Do you think that National Central Library needs a weeding policy?

Yes
(
)
No
(
)
Do you believe that weeding policies is very important to public libraries?
Yes
(
)
b) No
(
)

5. Are any factors or challenges discouraged the weeding of library materials at National
a)
b)
6.
a)

Central Library, Dar es Salaam?

Yes
(
)
No
(
)
Do you get any problems in accessing materials for the library collection?
Yes
(
)
b) No
(
)

7. Does NCL have measures used to overcome challenges in weeding

exercise?
a) Yes
(
b) No
(

)
)

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION

40

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