What is an efficient first step for weeding outdated materials from a library collection?

Starting with the section that is in the greatest need of weeding is an efficient first step for removing outdated materials from a library collection because it allows for a more targeted approach to improving the collection's overall quality. By identifying specific areas that contain the most outdated or irrelevant materials, librarians can enhance the user experience more effectively. This ensures that patrons have access to the most current and useful resources. An assessment or inspection of various sections can highlight areas where information is no longer accurate, relevant, or useful to users.

Prioritizing sections that require immediate attention also supports better resource allocation, as librarians can focus their efforts where they will have the most significant impact. This method can lead to quicker results, gaining the trust of users who may be frustrated with outdated resources. Once the most problematic areas have been addressed, librarians can move on to more systematic weeding processes in other sections of the library.