Weeding the Crates
I’ve been in the midst of a weeding project since the beginning of the school year. Over the course of the last couple weeks, I’ve realized something: what I thought would be a purely joyous event (“Finally, some space!”) also comes with a bit of sadness. While some of the weeded books will be updated, replaced, and given new life, some will be taken off the shelves for good to be donated.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
I think about the authors of those books that won’t be coming back. I feel bad for them. All their hard work fading away. It reminded me of a clip from the DJ documentary “Scratch”, where they talk about a similar occurrence in music. Jump ahead to the 2:00 point to see what I mean.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gpKYnRdf0A]
(Top Image: ‘library – kids section‘
www.flickr.com/photos/7641646@N03/920957455)
(Bottom Image: ‘Old school books‘
www.flickr.com/photos/14841234@N02/2099933808)
Filed under: Articles
About Travis Jonker
Travis Jonker is an elementary school librarian in Michigan. He writes reviews (and the occasional article or two) for School Library Journal and is a member of the 2014 Caldecott committee. You can email Travis at scopenotes@gmail.com, or follow him on Twitter: @100scopenotes.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
SLJ Blog Network
Publisher Preview: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers (Fall 2025)
Don’t Cause Trouble | Review
Our Mock Newbery List is Up to 52 Titles
When Book Bans are a Form of Discrimination, What is the Path to Justice?
Here Have Some New YA Thrillers
ADVERTISEMENT