Weeding Practice: a Case of Moshi University College of Co-operative and Business Studies (MUCCoBs) Library

This study was conducted to examine weeding practice in MUCCoBS Library in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. According to the literature reviewed, it has been found out that weeding practice is not an easy task but it requires courage and that most of the libraries weed irregularly and some do not weed at all. One of the reasons is said to be lack of written weeding policies. In this study, a single case study used the qualitative research design. The purposive sampling technique was used to get a sample size of 115 respondents from a population of 1541 people. The sample constituted lecturers, students, administrators and library staff. A questionnaire survey, face-to-face interviews, observation, and library and documentary reviews were the instruments used to collect data. The SPSS computer program was used to analyze the data while charts and tables were obtained through the use of MS Excel. This study showed that there are difficulties in accessing information caused by poor library conditions because weeding is not practiced. Physical conditions, and the currency and accuracy of information and to a lesser extent circulation were expressed as criteria for weeding. The study also discussed the major factors that hinder weeding practices at MUCCoBS, such as a fear that weeded materials might be needed in future, the lack of storage for weeded material and the fear of , opposition, the absence of a written weeding policy and lack of awareness about weeding. The study recommended the following: institutions should formulate written weeding policies that suit their libraries; conduct user education; conduct evaluation and weeding on a continuous basis and set aside off- sight storage for weeded materials. If these recommendations are implemented, academic libraries will surely practice weeding efficiently and hence provide quality services to their users.