The Importance of Currency: Printed Atlases

Fiona mentioned she "searched [her] library catalogue for atlases only to discover that all of the atlases in the library would be considered historical" (July 14, 2011). I am assuming Fiona was referring to what Riedling (2005) states that "a five-year-old atlas is considered historical" (p. 76).  I too searched my library catalogues and came to the same conclusion. Although there was a range of types and publishers of atlases, Junior Atlas, Scholastic Canada, Beginner's World Atlas, Historical BC Atlas, the most current one was published in 2000, a whopping eleven years old! The AIL Standards do not state a specific date in which geographic sources such as atlases should be replaced. They only suggest that "every effort should be made to ensure the currency of atlases" (p. 28). In my opinion, I don't think they would consider eleven years to be current.

I wondered if there was a more concrete number out there. I referred to the weeding guideline our TL uses, the California Department of Education pamphlet Weeding the School Library (2009). The only feedback it gave on atlases was under the Dewey classifications 000, which suggests should be weeded every 2-10 years. This a a huge range of years, and thus not much help in this particular situation, except to provided additional support that yes, these atlases are too old.

I referred also to The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh's General Weeding Guidelines (2007). I like this document as it breaks the different sections of the library down even further than any other resource I have come across and provides weeding advice and guidelines for all of them. I was curious what it would have to say about atlases. The document did not provide a specific number of years but stated  to "weed superseded edition[s] and those that do not reflect current conditions, even if new edition is not available.  A limited number of atlases may be needed for genealogy and historical purposes and, therefore, should not be weeded" (p. 5). Even though it is not a concrete number to follow, this makes more sense. This guideline requires a TL to look through the resource and make an educated judgement on how the current the information is in respect to the current conditions of the date in time. Some time periods, where major shifts in political lines have occurred may require atlases to be updated more frequently; for example, during the end of the Cold War in the 1990s. I laugh, because I can still remember using atlases in elementary school during the late 1990s and believing the USSR was a country even through I knew Russia and the other countries of the former USSR existed. It is hard to ignore the huge USSR lettering across Eastern Asia and be able to replace it with the current labeling, especially as a child. This is another reason why keeping resources current is so important. As adults we are aware of the current conditions and it is easy for us to look through the inaccuracies and adjust them in our minds. For a child it is much harder and could very easily lead to confusion.

Unlike encyclopedias, atlases are not published on a regular basis. However, specialized encyclopedias are not updated yearly either and should not be replaced until a superseded edition becomes available. This is similar to what the Carnegie Library suggests for atlases; unless the content, according to the opinion of the TL is to outdated.  This makes the weeding process a little easier at least.

Susan also framed an example of the ever changing world and the need for currency of atlases when she posted that "Sudan split into 2 countries just a few days ago" (July 12, 2011).  Although, it would be nearly impossible and not economically viable to update printed atlases every time there was a political change of boundaries in the world or a shift in the physical geography, I think it is necessary for the TL to use her best judgement when to replace the resources and not let it slip off her list of priorities. Sure online geographical sources have the advantage of keeping their resources up to date and current without requiring extra cost, however as a teacher, a past student and a user of maps, there is something wonderful able flipping through pages, locating, and learning and teaching how to locate information on the printed maps that can not be duplicated in electronic form.


Works Cited:

California Department of Education. "Weeding the School Library." California Department of Education
                           Library. 27 Apr. 2009. Web. 11 June 2011. /lb/documents/schoollibweedng.pdf>.

Canadian Association for School Libraries. Achieving Information Literacy Standards for School 
                          Library Programs in Canada. Ottawa: Canadian Association for School Libraries,
                          2003.

"General Weeding Guidelines." Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh District Library Center,
                          Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh's Regional and Statewide Role, Jan. 2007. Web. 25
                          June 2011. <http://www.clpgh.org/about/DistrictServices/>.

Riedling, Ann. Reference Skills for the School Library Media Specialist: Tools and Tips.
                          Worthington, OH: Linworth, 2005.