Revitalizing library collection: A critical look at collection weeding practices at university libraries in Pakistan

Abstract

Weeding is an emotionally and politically charged activity for library professionals, faculty, and university administration. However, for a quality collection building in academic libraries, weeding is as important as selection and acquisition in the first place. This study attempted to understand the current practices of collection weeding at university libraries in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) region in Pakistan, and identify whether weeding the library collection is optional or obligatory for university library professionals in Pakistan. A survey method was employed to conduct the research. The study covered all public (27) and private (09) sector universities of the province which were chartered by the Government of KPK, and recognized by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan. The population of this study was the senior library professionals working in the central libraries of the main campuses of all the province’s public and private sector universities. The study found that 39% of the university libraries with large collections conduct weeding at minimal levels to provide up-to-date materials to the users. The study’s findings further indicated that 61% of university libraries do not weed collections. The prime reason for not carrying out weeding was the absence of weeding policies.