Library prepares for renovation, removes books

Published 12:30 pm Wednesday, March 22, 2023

THOMASVILLE- The Thomas County Public Library Board met on Monday afternoon, where they heard an update from Interim Director, Steven Whigham in regard to the upcoming renovation and construction project. 

Whigham told the board the library has been working closely with Thomas County Inspections and Planning Director Kendall Gay, who is currently preparing the project for bid. 

“This is going to be a major renovation,” Whigham explained. “When you walk into the building, on the right is the adult and genealogy sections and that will be totally redone. It is going to be reconfigured for a while.” 

While speaking about the new design and reconfiguration of the library, Whigham said the architecture firm suggested the library weed through 10 percent of their books, as they will not all fit in the new design. 

In order to do this, the library must follow a procedure known as the Collection Development Policy. 

The board approved a motion for the Collection Development Policy, which outlines how the library will go about selecting the books for removal. 

Whigham explained that no books will be thrown out; all books will be donated or given to other systems. 

The Collection Development Policy follows “weeding guidelines” by Dewey Class. 

All books are given an age, which is the years since their copyright date, along with a date since it was last used in circulation. 

Books are then classified using the acronym MUSTY. 

Books labeled “M,” mean they are misleading and/or factually inaccurate. Books labeled “U,” mean they are physically ugly, badly worn or dirty. Books labeled “S,” mean they have been superseded by a new edition or by a much better book on the subject. Books labeled “T,” mean they are trivial, or of no discernible literary or scientific merit. Finally, books labeled “Y,” mean your (the library) collection has no use for the book, as it is irrelevant to patron needs and interests. 

All books in the Dewey Class are given suggested age limits for review. 

Books that are classified in special sectors, such as books on religion have a wider range. The guidelines suggest that libraries have something up to date on each religion represented by a church, synagogue or other assembly in the community. 

Social science books are also up to the librarian’s discretion. The guidelines suggest that all books containing controversial issues are represented from all views and that information is current, accurate and fair. 

Works of fiction are suggested to be discarded if they are no longer popular. However, the guidelines suggest retaining works of durable demand and/or high literary merit, and if they are written by a local author. 

The YA, Juvenile and Easy Fiction section will be one that the library staff pays close attention to, as of the recent discrepancies in what is age appropriate. 

The Collection Development Policy suggests discarding children’s and young adult fiction if the format and reading level are no longer appropriate to the current interest level of the book. It also encourages those weeding out the books to “favor originals over abridged or simplified classics.” 

Whigham explained they will be following these guidelines when working to weed out books over the coming months, as the renovation begins. Anyone interested in reviewing the guidelines may do so on the library’s website.