Re: [LM_NET] Demise of Dewey and Tagging

[Ken Umbach <ken@UMBACHCONSULTING.COM>]

Maybe.  But each (physical) book still needs to be on a shelf where anyone 
can find it. That means some sort of numbering scheme.

If libraries all had closed shelves, books could as well be organized by 
ISBN or accession number -- or by size to maximize efficient use of shelf 
space. But open shelves?  Subject organization seems like a wheel that does 
not need reinvention.

It seems to me that there are two separate issues: (1) physical placement 
on shelves (with required indication of where each belongs on the shelves) 
and (2) topical classifications (including subsidiary topics and 
cross-references).  Each book can be in only one physical place but can 
have an indefinite number of topical classifications and 
cross-references.  Computers facilitate the latter, but the book still has 
to be *somewhere*.

Items that consist only of bits and bytes, now that is a different 
matter--but even then, a hierarchy of subject headings is not exactly 
irrelevant. It just requires different implementation.

IMHO

Ken

At 03:00 AM 6/9/2007 -0400, you wrote:
>Date:    Fri, 8 Jun 2007 20:42:16 -0400
>From:    Laura Brooks <brooksla@NORTHVILLE.K12.MI.US>
>Subject: Demise of Dewey and Tagging
. . .
>Will we eventually
>teach tagging methods or structures to students instead of DDC?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ken Umbach
Columnist, Knowledge Quest
Policy Analyst, California Research Bureau, California State Library
Writer, editor, researcher, consultant, www.umbachconsulting.com
916-733-2159 -- voice mail
"The Pursuit of Publishing": http://www.lulu.com/content/740262
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
  You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
  by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET  2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL  4) SET LM_NET DIGEST  * Allow for confirmation.
 * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
 * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
 * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
 * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------