Re: [LM_NET] Dewey Decimal System eliminated in new Arizona library

[sarah <sarah.ludwig@GMAIL.COM>]

I am not convinced that taking away a particular classification system
will result in people not being able to use a library at another point
in their life. I have no memory of learning Dewey as a kid, but I was
just fine in my enormous college library. And besides, big college
libraries use LC, so knowing Dewey won't help too much; what WILL help
is feeling comfortable in a library, being able to ask for help--and
knowing how to use a bookstore, or find a product in ANY store, for
that matter! People sort through classifications on a daily basis, and
the new generation of library users, especially, is used to thinking
this way. I think we sort of agree on this point, since you write:
"Every library has its variations but in general if you understand the
big picture and the general concepts you can feel comfortable in any
library." Maybe we just have a different definition of "the big
picture."

Like I just responded to someone off-list, is it possible that kids
could find a book just by following the right sign? Yes, this works
best in smaller libraries, and no, I'm not sure yet how this would
work in a big library, but isn't a sign saying "cars and trucks"
enough?

Sarah

On 5/31/07, Lyn Grund <lcgrund@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > I think I am in the minority. I love this idea and I've been trying to
> > think of a way to incorporate a similar system into my library. Sure,
> > there will be kinks to work out, but I don't think there is any real
> > need for the specificity that Dewey provides. Why not put all the
> > books on baseball in one place, no matter what the *specific* topic
> > (individual players vs. how-tos vs. the economics of the game, etc.),
> > and then arrange by author? Then let users tag the books for extra
> > access points. And have helpful librarians on hand to point users in
> > the right direction. It makes sense to me.
>
>
>
> How about the idea of consistency in the way we find materials in libraries?
> Especially at the high school level, this idea frightens me. How are we
> preparing our students for college libraries? Every library has its
> variations but in general if you understand the big picture and the general
> concepts you can feel comfortable in any library. I have encouraged our K-3
> libraries to be as library-like as possible to lay the groundwork for
> students as they move through our system. They have some special
> collections, i.e. Dr. Seuss, that are shelved together and that varies from
> school to school, but that is the exception, not the rule.
>
> I always tell my students that they don't have to understand anything about
> Dewey in order to find a book, they just have to understand numerical order.
> With our OPAC, they can print out their search results so there's no more of
> that scrabbling on little pieces of paper to try to remember the Call #.
> Plus they have all their bibliographic information on that sheet too.
>
> Lyn Grund, Librarian
> Middlesex High School
> MIddlesex, NJ
> lcgrund@gmail.com
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> 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
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
>

--------------------------------------------------------------------
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
--------------------------------------------------------------------