Weeding a collection

Annually we do a thorough review of all that sits on the shelves in the library. We look at items to see if they should be pulled due to condition, relevancy, age, etc. The books are either offered to other libraries or put out on our free shelf in the library.

Some works are easy targets for removal. Medical, computer, technology, and other areas where information changes rapidly will need to be updated more often. English literature, history, art, and children's books have a longer staying power.

As we cull the collection this year, I'd like to post a few of my favorite "withdraws" and offer up their replacements.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury was in desperate need of replacement. Our 1977 copy of the book (below) is well worn and has been read many many times. The pages are dog-eared and the paper and cover are warped. The cover art is intriguing though and I may just save it for a book display. The newer 50th anniversary edition replacement appears below as well.