Collection maintenance and weeding are important components of a library’s collection management system and are often related to the goals and mission of the organization. An optimal library collection is one that is reviewed on a consistent basis for accuracy, currency, usage, diversity, and subject area gaps. When evaluating print or another tangible medium, collection maintenance usually involves the continual care of the materials, including accurate and efficient shelving (and re-shelving), shelf-reading, shifting, and cleaning.

Weeding or the deselection of material is critical to collection maintenance and involves the removal of resources from the collection. All materials are considered for weeding based on accuracy, currency, and relevancy. Space limitations, edition, format, physical condition, and number of copies are considered when evaluating physical materials. While weeding is essential to the collection development process, it should not be used as a deselection tool for controversial materials (see the Library Bill of Rights).  

 -American Library Association

Each and every year, the Aiken Intermediate School Library is inventoried. The library staff conducts an inventory of the school library resources, collection, and equipment. This inventory is used to determine losses and remove damaged or worn materials which can then be considered for replacement. The inventory is also used to deselect and remove materials that are no longer relevant to the curriculum or of interest to students. 

• We do not charge overdue fines/fees. Renewal of books is encouraged. 

• We do charge replacement cost of the book if lost or returned beyond repair (i.e. water damage, scribbled in with ink or crayon, dog chewing, etc.). 

• If a damaged material is able to be repaired by the library staff, the student will not be charged.