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Not Goodbye, but See Ya Later – Awful Library Books
Hi everyone! You may have noticed that we've slowed down a bit on posting, approving comments, and, well, pretty much our whole end of the deal. We'd like to say we're just too busy and important, but…we're not. Behind the scenes, we've been actively downsizing and "sunsetting" this little dog and pony show we call…
Green Cars – Awful Library Books
Green Cars: Earth-friendly Electric Vehicles Coughlan 1994 This was a cool book back in 1994! There's a lot of old information in it, though, like how long it takes to charge the battery in an electric vehicle, the mileage range the battery has, and emissions laws. One thing still possible is that "in the future,…
Green Cars – Awful Library Books
Green Cars: Earth-friendly Electric Vehicles Coughlan 1994 This was a cool book back in 1994! There's a lot of old information in it, though, like how long it takes to charge the battery in an electric vehicle, the mileage range the battery has, and emissions laws. One thing still possible is that "in the future,…
Not Goodbye, but See Ya Later – Awful Library Books
Hi everyone! You may have noticed that we've slowed down a bit on posting, approving comments, and, well, pretty much our whole end of the deal. We'd like to say we're just too busy and important, but…we're not. Behind the scenes, we've been actively downsizing and "sunsetting" this little dog and pony show we call…
Green Cars - Awful Library Books
Green Cars: Earth-friendly Electric Vehicles Coughlan 1994 This was a cool book back in 1994! There's a lot of old information in it, though, like how long it takes to charge the battery in an electric vehicle, the mileage range the battery has, and emissions laws. One thing still possible is that "in the future, charging stations like this one might be commonplace" (p.14, shown below). Someday, sure. They're definitely more commonplace now than in 1994, but it's still a challenge for EV drivers in some areas to find them. Apps like PlugShare, ChargeMap, and EVGo were definitely not a thing in 1994!
Microwave Cooking for One - Awful Library Books
Microwave Cooking For One Smith 1985 Submitter: What first got my attention while perusing the shelves was the taped together cover. Then I saw the date - 1985. Seems pretty old for a microwave cookbook. Some of the recipes seem doable, but I question the wattage and size of modern microwaves to be able to make most of the recipes in this book. Note the many seafood options that your coworkers would love to smell if you whipped up one in the staff office. Holly: Oh good, it's also spiral bound, the kiss of death for library materials.
Grooming - Awful Library Books
Great Grooming for Girls Smith 1993 For the last 10 years, the only time I have heard "grooming" used is in the exploitive context. I am thinking this title for a teen beauty book, might cause a few second thoughts or glances. Of all the collections in a library, I believe teen sections need to be the most ruthless when it comes to weeding. If it is older than the teen, its a candidate for weeding. (Please don't write us to say there are exceptions, of course there are. This book isn't an exception.) Circulation numbers don't really tell the full story with teen titles. I think so much more gets browsed rather than checked out. Weeding teen collections is more nuanced. I believe traditional measures, like circulations, only tell part of the story.
Dolls for Collectors - Awful Library Books
Cloth Dolls Judd 1990 I know libraries have lots of books and price guides on a variety of hobbies. I really have a hard time with weeding these things. Usually they circulate quite a bit, but they hang around forever. I am assuming that these older books are used for identifying collectibles rather than getting a valuation. Anyone have any insight into maintaining and weeding books on collectibles? Regardless, I am curious how collectors store these dolls so they don't stare at you in an evil way.
Your Biological Clock - Awful Library Books
The Biological Clock Reconciling Careers and Motherhood in the 1980s McKaughan 1987 Well this is a book that would have caught my eye back in the day. As a person who waffled about having kids, this book would have been like a match to gasoline in my stress filled late 20s. Back then mothers over the age of 30 were pretty much considered "high risk" or too old. At least in my mind, I had to have a baby before I turned 30. (I made it by 2 months.)
Better By Microwave - Awful Library Books
Better By Microwave Longbotham and Simmons 1990 Submitter: I am submitting this 1990 microwave cook book I found on the shelf of my local public library. I love when I find traces of attempted dishes on the pages of the cookbooks. I wonder if Clams with Black Bean Sauces in the microwave worked out? Holly: Oh good, clams in the microwave: portable and quick for a lunch room snack at work. Some of the other recipes don't sound too bad, although I would probably not make most of them in a microwave.
Lift that Face - Awful Library Books
Plastic surgery What You Need to Know- Before, During and After Marfuggi 1998 Last time I was at the dermatologists office, I saw so many before and after examples of fillers or other treatments. Most of these treatments, I had never heard of. Sadly, I couldn't really tell the difference. Part of me thinks this is reasonable. Surgery should enhance, not completely change how someone looks. On the other hand, if I am going to drop some serious cash, I would want it to be worth it. This one is still floating around the shelves in a small library. Clearly this one is way out of date. For the time, it wasn't too bad. The advice is conservative and realistic in terms of outcomes. The pictures featured are reasonable and very basic. However, I do know that over 20 years have passed since this was published, so I am quite sure that information needs updating. When I saw this book, I thought it was much older. I guess the book itself could use some work as well.
Daddy's on Saturdays - Awful Library Books
At Daddy's on Saturdays Girard 1987 Submitter: Truly awful book, weeded out of the [Public Library] collection and finally just weeded out of our used-book sale. The dated illustrations would be enough, but the sexist text just adds spice. Holly: I've seen worse (exhibits A and B), but this is definitely dated. Kids whose parents divorced in 1987 are 35 years old and potentially looking for books to read to their kids about divorce.
Magic Words and Numbers - Awful Library Books
Magic, Words, and Numbers Series: A New Library of the Supernatural Holroyd 1975 Submitter: Things no one will say: Who cares if this book is old and hideous? The public must have it! It’s full of helpful advice that anybody can follow. Do you need money? Just pluck a hair from a mare’s privates, recite a magical incantation, and make a pact with a talking snake (page 82). Are you worried about your relationship? Rip the tongue out of a live toad and place it on your lover’s heart while she sleeps. Or, better yet, trick her into drinking pulverized wolf gonads (page 83). Is there a dung heap nearby? Use it to unleash the incredible power of common household herbs (82). Or, just bury this book in the manure where it belongs.
Southern Plantation Cooking - Awful Library Books
Southern Plantation Cooking Gunderson 2000 Submitter: I recently came across Southern Plantation Cooking in my high school library's cookbook section. It's part of a series that includes titles called Civil War Cooking: The Confederacy, Civil War Cooking: The Union, and Cooking on the Lewis and Clark Expedition. [Read on for more] Holly: This was published in 2000???
Rap your way to breast health - Awful Library Books
Coping: A Young Woman's Guide to Breast Cancer Prevention Eisenpreis 1996 Do young women need information on breast cancer? Most definitely. This is weed worthy because of the age. Medical and science info is always suspect after 5-10 years. Nearly 30 years is ridiculous. Also the image for the cover looks really distorted to me. That is the book, not my poor photo editing skills. However, It is cringe worthy rap included in the second image that takes the cake. Because today's teens really need a rap to get with the program of breast self exam.
Find a Job - Awful Library Books
How to Find A Job on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and other Social Networks Schepp and Schepp 2010 Career books are always going to be my trigger in collection management. Social media leads for jobs isn't outdated, per se, but this book is now over 10 years old and that already makes the information questionable. The platforms themselves have been changed several times since this was published. "The pandemic is now becoming a mile marker for collection development. There will be items throughout the range of topics that will render many items obsolete. The large shifts in how the world works has dramatically changed the entire employment landscape from both the employer and employee perspective. "The pandemic is now becoming a mile marker for collection development. There will be items throughout the range of topics that will render many items obsolete. The large shifts in how the world works has dramatically changed the entire employment landscape from both the employer and employee perspective.
Mind and Vision - Awful Library Books
Mind and Vision: A Handbook for the Cure of Imperfect Sight Without Glasses Agarwal (7th Ed.) 1978 Submitter: We are a small public library. I found this in the health section. It was added in 2007 and, apparently, not donated but in fact purchased with real money from Amazon for $9.95. There is potentially helpful advice in this book. Unfortunately it also suggests that staring into the sun, with your eyes closed, will cure the need for corrective lenses. It was a shelved in 617.7, near books on LASIK. This book is a wonderful example as to why we need to weed our health sections regularly. Holly: Well, dang, if I knew that I wouldn't have spent $600 on bifocals!
Killer Karate - Awful Library Books
The 100 Deadliest Karate Moves Gambordella 1982 Submitter: While cleaning up the sports and athletic section I found this book tucked behind the other books in the section. It looks like it escaped weeding by cowering behind all the other books. Rest assured this was kicked to the recycling bin. Holly: I see what you did there, submitter. The only thing saving this book from being the most boring karate book on earth, with its black and white photos of early-80s collars and short shorts, is its title. Well, that and the impending wardrobe malfunction on the cover.
Meat for Dinner (Again!) - Awful Library Books
Famous Brands Meat Cookbook Brand Name Publishing 1985 I don't know how many more of these tasty recipes I can manage. They are everywhere on our site. The problem with hanging on to old cookbooks in a regular collection is that the photography or illustrations aren't really helping the recipes. Cookbooks and recipes go in and out of fashion. Vintage cookbooks are definitely an interesting collectable, but modern library collections really need to see if these items meet the library mission. If you have space and budget, you can hang onto a few of your oldies but goodies or maybe make a display. Pass your retro collections off to good homes.
Contingency Cannibalism - Awful Library Books
Contingency Cannibalism: Superhardcore Survivalism's Dirty Little Secret Takada 1999 Submitter: This was found in the survival and wilderness section of our little library. At first I was surprised by the title, then I was even more surprised when I realized it was misclassified. This probably would have done better in the humor section. Holly: What the....ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!! Good grief. The summary at WorldCat is priceless.
Planet X will destroy us...in 2003 - Awful Library Books
Blindsided: Planet X passes in 2033: Earthchanges! Hazlewood (2nd Ed.) 2001 Submitter: This amazing conspiracy rant explains how the media, all the governments (except Putin's Russia) and society in general suppress the truth that Planet X is coming to destroy civilization in 2003. (Oh wait...). Cited sources include news articles and prophecies by, amongst others, Mother Shipton, Edgar Cayce and various conspiracy theorists. Buy this book so you can survive what was coming in 2003! Small public library in Florida, found shelved in 550 with Space Science. Holly: We dodged that bullet, I guess.
Mass Media and Elections - Awful Library Books
Mass Media and Elections Joslyn 1984 If there was ever a book that was outdated, I think this one might be in the top 10. Aside from the craziness of campaigns, the choice of candidates, and fake news, this book is missing a whole chunk of information. Updates should probably include things like social media, the Internet, and for the American audience: Russian interference, conspiracy theories, false identities, massive voter fraud, mail in voting, fake news, and a whole chapter on Fox news.
God's Handiwork - Awful Library Books
If I'm God's Handiwork, Would Someone Please Explain These Thighs!: Discovering Your Unique Destiny Lechner 2002 Submitter: I work at a public library in a small city in NC. We found this book from 2002 during a recent sweep. I think it's a good example for your blog because of the outdated humor both in the title and within the work, as well as the outdated design of the cover and call outs within. The book never had particularly good circulation numbers and probably should have been weeded a decade ago. Holly: I know it doesn't seem like that long ago, but 2002 was 21 years ago. Let it gooooo!
Hunger Games - Awful Library Books
Hunger: Understanding the Crisis Through Games, Dramas, and Songs Sprinkle 1971 Submitter: This is a book of literal Hunger Games by an author whose last name is Sprinkle. You just can’t make this up. The idea of the book is to help church-goers and likeminded folks better understand the experience of hungry people. There are bingo games for kids, as well as the attached activities. I find the drama interesting; Jane, the “active churchwoman” actually tells the long-haired young man to cut his hair to find a job. Spoiler, she dies at the end, goes to heaven, and gets a bread crust, an empty jar, and an old bathrobe. There’s also a song called “We plough the fields with tractors.” Weeded from an academic library. Last circulation: ILL in 1987. Browsed in 1993. Not applicable to any academic program at the university… and probably not of lasting interest for students, faculty, or staff, either. Holly: What does listing on a placemat what Jesus ate (second image below) have to do with learning about people who have nothing to eat?
Business Plans for the rapture - Awful Library Books
How to profit from the coming rapture Getting ahead when you are left behind Levy 2008 I was searching for something and came across this book. My first thought was this was a serious effort by some religious nuts. When I started reading and laughing, it was clear it was a spoof. It was actually fun for about a half an hour. Then it was done, at least for me. Sometimes books like these tend to be too long. The joke just went on too long. What concerned me is the owning library had it classified in the 200s. I would have stuck this in the 800s with other humor books.
Fun and Games - Awful Library Books
Early Pleasures and Pastimes Kalman 1947 Submitter: We found this gem in our Children's department of our public library, on a recent much needed weed. The children on the cover seem to enjoy waterboarding Grandpa. The actual photos inside are very disturbing. They dare you to wrestle a bear, and how about the crying little girl watching her beloved turkey get it's head chopped off. I don't understand why we had this one on the shelves for so long! Holly: None of these are pleasures or appropriate pastimes for children! Pretty sure Grandpa is bobbing for apples. He doesn't seem to be very good at it, though.
Carpentry for Kids - Awful Library Books
Carpentry for Children Walker 1982 My general rule of thumb for kids nonfiction is that it shouldn't be older than the age of the kid. Please don't write us about all your examples of the exceptions. I get it. There are probably thousands of exceptions. But I digress... This book was brought to me by one of my co-workers. Topic is fine, but this particular book was old and tired looking. (As I am old and tired looking, I feel qualified to judge.) In this example, the date published makes me question the following: Is the instructional component and other content appropriate for the age group? Are the tools/equipment/materials available and safe? (Beware of products/materials that are no longer available.) Do any of the projects or commentary use outmoded or inappropriate language when describing people or things? Are the projects something kids would be interested in now? (Not 40 years ago.) Again, I am not saying that just because it's old, doesn't make it an automatic weed, however it does mean we need to check further.
The Taming - Awful Library Books
The Taming Deveraux 1989 Submitter: If your idea of a romantic hero is a dude with anger management issues, zero people skills, and a bad case of lice, then here is the book for you! This is the tale of a lady who marries an impoverished misogynist and scrubs his entire castle. Despite the fact that he does not maintain his estate, she is somehow able to produce elaborate multi-course feasts. There's a ghost, too, so maybe any kind of realism was too much to expect. Also, we're an academic library. Every book its reader notwithstanding, how in the name of S.R. Ranganathan did this get into our collection? [Images, below:] 1 cheesy book cover with bad font (for a good 10 minutes, I thought the title was The Famine); 1 page of lice; 1 page of the most disgusting living-dining room situation in print; and 1 page of a downright miraculous meal. Holly: Oh, Jude. Jude Deveraux was super popular back in the day. The cover DOES look like The Famine!
Smuggling Made Easy - Awful Library Books
Sneak it Through : Smuggling Made Easier Michael Connor 1984 Paladin Press Submitter: This book was found on shelf by one of our library clerks and brought to my attention. A surprising purchase, and my only guess is a collection development librarian had watched too many episodes of Magnum, P.I., Remington Steele, and or the A-team. However, its value to a public library seems limited even with the published date of 1984. For those like us in the northern climates, will enjoy the snow on the car roof trick. Holly: Because, as the back cover says, "You never know what you might want to smuggle when times get tough!"
Jump for Joy! - Awful Library Books
Jump Rope! Skolnik 1974 This ancient artifact was only recently weeded from a public library. Given the publication date, I very well could have checked this out as I was teen in 1974. Even if the information isn't "wrong", this just is so old, it's embarrassing. Check out the array of fashion choices. Just yikes! When I was thumbing through the book, I was really disappointed in the pictures. I am not referring to the fact they are black and white, but how they are just bad pictures and add nothing to the narrative. It wasn't just the ones posted here, but all through the book. It was like someone's mom grabbed their Kodak Instamatic and just pressed the button in the general direction of some jump rope action. Jumping rope was a pretty standard fare during my elementary school days. Everyone did it. Now I only see jumping rope as part of a fitness routine. Do kids even jump rope any more?
Fructose: A Magic Formula - Awful Library Books
Diet Away Your Stress, Tension, and Anxiety The Fructose Diet Book Palm 1976 Well folks, this is the miracle diet you have been waiting for! Dr Palm's theory is that a fructose regimen can improve the function of the nervous system. Benefits include decrease of demand for alcohol in alcoholics and eliminate cravings for food among those who overeat. In addition, he continues with claims to improve symptoms in psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, lessons the "premenstrual tension" and improves the management of diabetes. Sounds like fructose is magic. I think you can safely weed this one.
ALB's Best of 2022 (part 2) - Awful Library Books
Some Weeding Resolutions for 2023 So here is part 2. For your new year's resolution, commit to frequent weeding. Go slow. Weeding is something that is best done in small bites. Don't load a cart and overwhelm yourself and everyone else. Think about devoting 10-20 minutes a day or limit yourself to 5-10 items at a crack. Take a look at this old post from Holly. If it is a huge project, make a plan. Be mindful of the intended audience. Is it for teens? or is it for teens back in 1990? Check how it is cataloged. Would it do better shelved elsewhere? Is this the best medium for this information? Books aren't always the best choice for certain topics. Would a video or streaming content be better? Integrate DEI into all aspects of collection management. Does your collection reflect many voices and perspectives? See this post and this post. Finally, if you have to/want to do something, and just want to phone it in without thinking too much, try the following: Duplicates and damaged materials. (Caveat: Don't get caught up in saving books with tape and staff time. This can be a time/money/budget suck). Move then to the obvious weeds: anything with a date in the title over a few years. (Think travel books, income tax materials, exam prep books, etc). Even if this is all you are able to do, you will have accomplished more than you think. Peace, love, and stable library funding for 2023 Mary and Holly
Ho Hum Decorations for Christmas - Awful Library Books
Christmas Decorations for you to make Purdy 1965 For a book from 1965, surprisingly this edition was in remarkably good condition. That should be a red flag right away. Why isn't in rougher condition? Did this book not get used enough? Was it a crappy choice in 1965? The book does look old and the crafts aren't that interesting. 5 minutes on Pinterest would yield better craft projects. Time to let this one go.
Christmas Tree Crap, I mean Crafts - Awful Library Books
Christmas Tree Crafts Tichenor 1975 I was a year old when this book was published. That makes it 47 years old this year. I'm all for holiday craft books for kids, but this one is old and tired. There are giant chunks of pages falling out. Some kid, probably 47 years ago, colored on many of the templates in this copy. That kid probably has these hand-made ornaments on her tree to this very day, and her grandkids think they're sooo old and weird, but dang it, she loves them. Especially the Christmas frog (see below). Happy Holidays, everyone! Holly
Time to Weed - Awful Library Books
Ecology Farb Time, Inc 1970 The Time-Life Books have always been popular back in the 1970s. I remember them being advertised on TV. They were like a subscription series or book of the month club. We have a featured a few here, here, and here. I know these Time-Life series books might still be popular with some folks depending on the topic. However, I am going to say that some of the science topics probably need to go in favor of more up to date information. Given that some of these sets had multiple volumes, space consideration could also be a factor. The western series I still see on the shelves in many libraries, so I think that series still has some fans. For the most part, these books are weedable but they do represent a time before the Internet was the source of information. You have my permission to be sentimental when you weed these books.
Travel Advice for the Ladies - Awful Library Books
Traveling Alone A Practical Guide for Business Women North 1979 If you want an example of outdated advice this is the book. It is full of technology references and advice that would probably be unknown to anyone under the age of 40. Although safety in travel is an excellent topic, this one doesn't even come close to today's reality. This was before any rolling suitcases were popular, tighter airport security, not to mention the amount of technology changes since 1979. Some highlights of the advice: Things to pack: First aid kit Manicure set craft projects 8 track tapes or cassette tape player Diaphragm golf clubs disco dress Other advice includes strategies for avoiding sexual harassment, using a travel agent, getting hotel reservations, etc. I think this book was probably edgy and helpful in 1979 (edgy, because women could go out alone and travel by themselves!). This book probably was outdated by the late 1980s.
Robert Palmer Girls - Awful Library Books
Be Your Own Makeup Artist: Jerome Alexander's Complete Makeup Workbook Alexander 1983 Submitter: Not sure why this cover is giving me such Robert Palmer vibes... This was found languishing on the shelf and no wonder - time to replace this with some from this century. Holly: They do look like Robert Palmer girls!!
Mormon Meat - Awful Library Books
Favorite Mormon Recipes Meats Edition Including Seafoods and Poultry 2000 Favorite Recipes Montgomery Second Branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 1966 Submitter: While weeding the cookbook section, I spied this sad spiral bound book being held together with a prayer. There is one thing I hate about cookbooks and that is a lack of pictures. In the case of this book- there were about 4 black and white photos in total for all 380+ pages. Incidentally there were no secret Jello recipes from Joseph Smith. Holly: The Frankfurter-Kraut Noodle Ring, pictured below, reminds me of a dish my Polish family makes called haluski. We don't Jello mold it, though. Missed opportunity.
24/7 Power Looks - Awful Library Books
Looking, Working, Living Terrific 24 Hours A Day Cho and Lueders 1982 This title sounds exhausting. At my age, I think showing up for work with my hair combed is an accomplishment worthy of my next performance review. (Holly take note!) This was published at the time the mantra of working women was "I can do it all!" (See this commercial for Enjoli perfume, and you will get the idea.) Those of you old enough to remember this, get ready to cringe. This book combines looking good with career/personal success advice. I will cop to buying into this type of dressing for success looks. Unfortunately, I didn't have the budget to sustain this look and it really didn't make me powerful in my job. (Naturally, I moved to librarianship so I could have the real money and power!<<sarcasm)