Sometimes information can be misinformation. Finally, weeding can assist in evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the collection. Identifying the circulation of items is the easiest, fastest and one of the most reliable methods of weeding. This method is effective if all books are date-stamped on circulation. The latest circulation date-stamp would be used as a means to determine the relevancy of a book to the collection.
Computers are useful to maintain circulation records of individual items.
However, the library needs to have been automated for at least three years to accumulate circulation records. Some information that libraries may want from their software to he'p in the evaluation procedure includes the latest checkout date for items currently being circulated, accession date, and previous checkout dates for items not currently circulating. Libraries may want to print out two lists identifying items that have or have not circulated in the last three years. Author, title, barcode number, publication date, last circulation date, and number of copies per item may be information that would be useful on these lists. The lists could be divided by subject category in order to weed by section.