erT 16, Octob er
1986 Vol. No. 14
VISTA
Thursday Edition
Central State University, Edmond, Oklahoma
Library director answers criticisms concerning book 'weeding' process By Shannon Blockcolski Editor The Max Chambers Library book "weeding" • process has received negative criticism from several faculty members, according to Dr. John Lolley, director of the library. "The reason these faculty members are upset comes from a ruling based on a state law passed down in 1981. This ruling said that faculty members could not obtain the withdrawn library books because they are state property," Lolley said. "It was decided state property could no longer be given away, it had to be auctioned off." In a letter drafted by a chairman of the Liberal Arts department addressed to Dr. Bill Lillard, CSU president, the following statement was written, "One chairperson found fourteen books he had given to a memorial library for his deceased son. These were on the floor of the (library) basement, with footprints on them." William E. Campbell, assistant professor of history and geography, said, "I first learned of this so-called 'weeding process'
in 1983, when the library staff discarded a large number of volumes, including many valuable for content or rarity. The faculty members were not participants in the 'weeding' process." The library's "weeding" pro ; cess follows the guidelines of the American Library Association's standards, Lolley said. First, the librarians withdraw all of the books which are torn, mutilated, out of date or one of several copies in the library's circulation, he added. "That's usually not enough, though. This year we decided if a book hadn't been circulated in the last ten years, then we pulled it from the shelves," Lolley said. "I have to decide whether I want to purchase a new book or keep an old one." After the books are withdrawn, Lolley said he notifies a member of the administration of the outdated material, who probably sends it off to be auctioned. At press time, no administrative member could be reached to explain the auction process. "After the books were 'weeded out' in 1983, an auction was held for the discarded books," Camp-
bell said. "The entire lot of books was purchased for a few dollars at an auction by a man who placed them in a landfill," Campbell added. Lolley said he was fully aware of, and shocked by, the landfill situation. "This guy took these books and used them as a landfill in a cow pasture. I was very angry when I found out about it," Lolley said, "but what could I do? When someone purchases state property, he can do whatever he wants to with it." Campbell said he feels not all of the books that were withdrawn are "out of date and unvaluable." "I discovered a book that I needed among the casualities — "The Land Divided" by Gerstle Mack. This is a major work concerning the history of the Panama Canal," Campbell said. "As far as I know, it was the only copy of the book in the library. The librarians could not find another copy when I asked them." According to Lolley, besides lack of space, the "weeding" process occurs at least once a year to save on the cost of adding the books to the automated system.
"It costs $7 to $10 for a book to be computed into the terminals," he said. "When you have more than 30 copies of a book, and a small amount of space, it's ridiculous to spend that much money." In the letter to Lillard, the author requested the following: "When the library staff decides books donated to memorials are no longer worthy of space on their shelves, the books should be offered back to the donors, with courteous explanation. Under no condition should these be desecrated by dumping them on the floor and walking on them ... all books to be culled should be sent to the departments, where the final decision to cull or keep shall be made." Lolley said the professors who are concerned with the withdrawn books are right in theory. "I am simply following the law," he added. "I hate to say this, but it's a good law gone bad. It's a good law if it prevents state officials from giving state property to friends and relatives. "I would love to be able to give the books to the students, faculty, other school libraries or to
charitable organizations, but my hands are tied." Campbell said during the 1983 "weeding", he found another book he needed within the discarded pile. "I asked Lolley what the library was doing tossing out a prize winning work, and he seemed shocked. The librarians ordered a reprint edition, which cost $30 to $35," Campbell said. "I thought `what a waste.' If the faculty had been consulted, that wouldn't have happened." As a result of certain faculty members' criticism of the "weeding" process, Lolley said he is going to approach the library advisory board with a proposition. "I am making a ruling to give faculty a chance to go through every book we are going to withdraw, and the ones they select can stay on the shelves," Lolley said. "Yet if this is not done correctly, we will have a lopsided collection. "My only message is that this process is not something I take a great amount of pleasure doing. I'm not going through this (criticism) again."
Colonel addresses national defense at ROTC 'Dining In' By Italia Carson Student Writer The Officers' Club at Tinker Air Force Base was the setting for the annual CSU Reserves Officers' Training Corps "Dining In" at 6:30 p.m. October 11. The dinner featured a speech about defense measures by Col. Nelson E. Modrall, commander for the Area 1 region of ROTC, The tradition of a "dining in" dates back to the early days of military history when a time was provided during the officers' mess to promote companionship, celebrate a special occasion or honor fallen soldiers. The CSU ROTC detachment holds this event every fall in order to familiarize the cadets with the formalities of this age-old military custom, said Capt. Walter Wilson Jr., assistant professor of military science. "Once a year, we have the cadets organize and participate in the ceremony so they will know what to expect when they are officers in the U.S. Army," said Wilson.
"These ceremonies, along with `Dining Outs' and 'Hails and Farewells,' are formal and informal activities which military personnel will participate in a number of times throughout their career." Following the meal and humorous activities, guest speaker Modrall presented his comments on the future of America's freedom against the "dangers presented by the Soviet Union" by its "military supremacy over the United States in the establishment of its Blue Water Navy ...and its numerical superiority in the number of modern combat vehicles and artillery deployed in Europe. "The Soviets have shown a penchant for using force to attain political ends," Modrall said with reference to the satellite countries of Eastern Europe, the Baltic states and Afghanistan. "It is clear to me that the United States must maintain a credible defense posture...which has the respect of the Soviet Union and...sufficient
to protect our vital interest--our security. "Let us not forget that we are a peace-loving nation and the military, as a part of this society, shares in the quest for peace. While we train and prepare to fight the war to protect our value system," Modrall continued, "our first and foremost mission remains to deter that war." Modrall also offered praise to the cadets for their willingness to chose "duty above self" in "upholding and defending the Constitution of the United States. "Your commitment and the commitment of others like you to serve a portion of your lives as leaders in the defense of this great country will help guarantee the peace which will sustain the ring of freedom from every mountain...," Modrall concluded. The 'Dining In' has been a tradition for the CSU ROTC program for the past five years, Capt. Wilson said. "It's always a success, yet each year it gets better," he added.
Photographic services: Dan Hoke
Robin Smith (left) and Carmon Noland prepare food for a "Foods of the World" dinner held Tuesday night in the Home Economics building.