designing a weeding policy for ministry of justice and constitutional affairs library

Description

The study aimed at developing a weeding policy for Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. The objectives of the study were; to find out the library materials at the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs library, to find out the status of library materials at the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs library, to examine the criteria taken into consideration by library professionals for weeding the collection, to find out the challenges in managing of library materials at the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs library, and to design a weeding policy and recommend for improvements. The research used a case study research design where both qualitative and quantitative research approaches to data collection were also used. The, interview and the observation guides were used in data collection necessary in developing a weeding policy for MOJCA Library. The study findings revealed that MOJCA Library manages a number of library materials which are availed to users to satisfy their needs. The library materials include; text books, law reports, periodicals (magazines, journals, newspapers), electronic resources, and statutory instruments among others. The findings also indicated that most of the information materials in MOJCA Library were not in good conditions due to over use, age, mis handling and vandalism by the library users and the poor storage facilities were not effective to protect them for a long period of time. Some of the library materials were torn, faded and some were eaten up by the insects and other pests in the library. The study findings also revealed that the challenges in weeding of the library materials were; limited library staff, low demand of the library materials, limited finances, lack of formal procedures for, weeding the library collection, out dated library materials, lack of a weeding policy, continuous changes in the laws call for the weeding of these information materials, and fear of creating space without replacement. The study also established the requirements for a weeding policy at MOJCA Library and these included; qualified staff, share responsibilities, and team work. The recommendations for the study were; setting up a collection development policy, weeding schedule, and setting up measures to regulate weeding, storage space for weeded materials, Use of Skilled man power, and increasing the library’s budget.