The Optimized Library: Weeding

Microsoft Excel Solver can make collection weeding stress-free

Posted on July 27, 2026 in Videos

“The Optimized Library: Solving the Puzzles of Modern Library Management” is a video series from LibTech Insights, hosted by Sam Suber, Electronic Resources Coordinator at Moraine Valley Community College Library. In this series, Sam explores how mathematical optimization empowers libraries to make smarter, value-driven decisions when facing today’s complex operational hurdles. Check out Sam’s previous work.

Physical space is limited, but library collections keep growing. Traditional weeding methods often miss the mark: strict age cutoffs risk discarding classics, while targeting zero checkouts can accidentally eliminate brand-new books.

In this video, Sam shows how to fix this using Excel’s Solver. By controlling for both publication year and circulation, he builds a model that reduces a collection to an exact target number. The result? A simple keep/discard binary that makes weeding stress-free.

For more background on Microsoft Excel Solver, refer to Sam’s post, “Maximizing Impact: Using Excel Solver for Optimal Library Budgeting.”

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