Libraries Must Weed Out Books

Regarding the concern expressed by T.A. Peterson (Orange County Voices, Jan. 19):

The Fullerton Public Library has access to a vast system of loans of resources from other libraries, as well as a fine reference and information service.

It maintains a number of special collections (the Mary Campbell Collection of Historical Children’s Books, and the Launer Local History Room, to name just two), but it is basically a circulating library.

The circulating collection is regularly assessed, thanks now to the availability of computerized circulation records. It is my understanding that books that have not been in circulation for a determined period of time, or those which have been reissued, or those whose popularity has resulted in irretrievable wear and tear, are removed from the collection.

Each such book probably has champions, but it is the only way that a modern library can add to its collection. Even the most supportive city budget falls far short of providing adequate library facilities for a growing and current collection, without the regular removal of some books.

The Fullerton Public Library does not, however, “scrap” such volumes.

They are given instead to the Friends of the Fullerton Public Library, a 900-member support group which last year raised close to $35,000 from the sale of those books, plus thousands of others donated by Fullerton residents. The next Book Sale is April 11-13 at the main library, 353 W. Commonwealth Ave.

The staff of the Fullerton Public Library never lose sight of the library’s mission: to serve the public which supports it.

C.P. SMITH, Fullerton

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Discarding books does not come easily to librarians. However, when forced to do so, they do it conscientiously following written guidelines.

There are many reasons why we discard books. We are constrained by the physical size of our buildings, and shelving is not limitless. Books get shabby and worn from being used, so the physical condition of a book is taken into consideration.

Most important is whether a book is actually used. Public libraries, unlike research and academic libraries, do not have the luxury of housing books that do not get checked out. Books that are weeded out of our library are given to the Friends of the Library for sale in their book sales.

As a resident of Fullerton for over 40 years, Peterson must be aware that demands on the public library have changed considerably.

Forty years ago, Fullerton had a population of 43,412. Today it has tripled in size. Forty years ago, the public library purchased mainly books and magazines. Today, the public library attempts to meet the information needs of its multicultural community through print, audiovisual and electronic resources.

Established in 1906, the Fullerton Public Library (which is not funded by Orange County but by the city of Fullerton) has built up a strong reputation for customer service.

The library remains one of California’s busiest public libraries, checking out over 1 million items annually. According to an annual user survey, we continue to please 95% of our users, who say that they are satisfied or highly satisfied with the level of service provided by our staff. Finally, our newly created Library Foundation has been very successful during its first year of fund-raising largely based upon the library’s positive reputation. Funded at $20 per capita, the public library remains one of the best deals in town.

AL MILO, Library Director, Fullerton Public Library