“Weeding” refers to the process of removing books from circulation as the information inside them becomes dated or inaccurate. Books can also be weeded when they fall into disrepair, or when they fail to circulate a minimum number of times within a certain timeframe. Weeding is a common practice within libraries that ensures any given collection stays current and relevant.
The statement, issued in the aftermath of social media backlash from parents due to the alleged removal of books like the Harry Potter Series and “The Diary of a Young Girl” by Anne Frank, emphasizes that such books remain in the PDSB collection, “and, where needed, newer versions may be purchased if the book is in poor condition,” per the statement.
In May of this year, Peel schools issued a report on their diversity and equity rollout plan, which includes an item on weeding. The first of a three-step curation cycle in Peel schools, weeding is described as an equity measure to ensure the removal of books that might “perpetuate negative stereotypes and promote deficit-thinking.