Weeding Challenge: Business Books

It's that time again. Summer Reading is over, the holidays have not yet begun, and  -- it's time for another weeding challenge!

This time, let's take a look at the business books. Sure, technology moves fast, but it's not like management or general office skills change that much, right? A book on resumes is a book on resumes! Maybe not so much.

Weeding Generalities

As we discussed in our other Weeding Challenges (Cookbooks and Craft Books and Staying Trendy), and in our popular Weeding 101 article, the main things that most librarians look for when weeding a collection are condition, age, usage statistics, and usefulness. Of course, when there is ample shelf space in one area and another is bursting at the seams, weeding of the roomy section can be often overlooked, even when more relevant titles have been added.

Things to keep in mind when weeding:

• How long has it been since this book last went out?
• Are other/better books on these topics available either at this library or for purchase?
• Do we really need books on this topic? 
• Do we really need THIS book on this topic?
• Is this laughably outdated? (If it is, send us photos!)

The CREW method of weeding (Kat's personal favorite weeding method) recommends that computer books are replaced when they are 3 years old, regardless of how often they go out. Considering how much of business is now online, I'd argue that business books should be held to roughly the same standards.

Specific Things to Look For

Once you've gotten the obvious problem items taken care of, it's time to dig a little deeper. Here's a handy list of things to check for when deciding whether or not to keep a business book that looks okay.

Lack of Websites and Technology

As we all know, everything is online now. General usage doesn't hyphenate "on-line" anymore, so that word right there is a nice red flag for you to think closely about keeping a book.

Examples:

 How to Get a Job NOW! Six Easy Steps to Getting a Better Job, 

by J. Michael Fort, published 1997

This book doesn't look too bad, but when you flip through, you'll find that you need to look for a job by "knocking on doors" and flipping through the classified ads. Literally nobody does that anymore.

Resume Writing: A Comprehensive How-To-Do-It Guide

by Burdette E. Bestwick, published 1990

As you may be able to tell from the cover, this book recommends that you write out your resume long-hand, and then go type it up where you can use a computer.

The Enterprising Woman by Mari Florence, published 1998

This one doesn't look too bad! There are plenty of books about women wanting to get into business. Of course, it is 20 years old...





And it has this page in it:

If you can't read the writing, please enjoy these direct quotes:

"Putting up a Web site is becoming as important as advertising with newspapers, television stations, and billboards."

"Companies such as America Online offer free Web sites to their customers."

"Some entrepreneurs are getting their sites into search engines, which basically serve as a Web directory."




Century 21 Accounting: A First-Year Course by Robert M. Swanson, published 1982

Accounting never gets old! Except, instead of using online software and spreadsheets, you use a big ol' notebook and a pencil.

Irrelevant Skill-sets

Gregg Shorthand
newly updated for 1971!

Shorthand and stenography is a neat skill, but maybe not one that we need to have multiple books about?

 General Age and/or Level of Bias

The Change Masters by Rosabeth Moss Kanter
published 1983

This one looks brand new! Unfortunately, that's because it hasn't been used much. Book on innovation are always good, but one from 1983 might be a little bit behind the times.

The Woman's Guide to Management Success: How to Win Power in the Real Organizational World by Joan Koob Cannie, published 1979

This is far and away my favorite book that I found. Look at her confident expression as she casually leans on the Twin Towers...

Knock Em' Dead 2000 by Martin Yate, published 2000

Anything with a date on it that is over 5 years old, is ready to be retired.

In Conclusion

This is a gentle reminder to go ahead and check your shelves, and see what may need to be taken care of. My library has many wonderful business and resume titles available for public use. We just also have a few that may be ready to go.

Let us know what you think here in the comments, on our Facebook page, or on Twitter.