Not to "flame" or be disrespectful, but just an insight into this....
Actually, pretty much all the books about baseball ARE in one place...
796.357. There are also options called "displays" of specific
subjects that allow you to pull out books from both the fiction,
non-fiction, videos, and biographies to showcase in one area of the
library without disrupting the accessibility of the online catalog or
other's access.
Librarians can also create bibliographies of books on specific
subjects and showcase them near the specific areas within the
library...or (gasp!) perhaps the librarian can get up and walk around
the library to ask patrons if they need help locating materials.
(This was a MANDATE in the academic libraries when we were responsible
for the reference desk. Every 20 minutes we were required to move
from behind the reference desk and walk the floor to assist patrons.
Most of the time we received more questions once we made our intial
approach than if we had not spoken to individuals at all. In fact, we
often ended up answering much more than the initial reference
question...and we always had "return visitors" who would seek us for
assistance! I loved this concept because it allowed me to talk about
where items could be located each time without really "teaching a
lesson.")
"Tags" are also called "subject headings" in libraries....in the
online environment of an OPAC / online catalog, we also call them
"keywords." "Tags" were invented to help organize resources online
such as photographs, blogs, wikis, etc., all of which is located
haphazardly on the Internet...also known as the "library with the
books scattered all over the floor."
Signage is also a great way to showcase materials and direct patrons
to areas of specific interest. Adding genre labels to book spines
also helps patrons to immediately locate information on the shelves.
Turning books to face forward (their best side) rather than hiding
them on the shelves, also helps to showcase a specific area of the
library....Let's take the display options from the bookstores and not
the "wandering until I get frustrated" concept. The main thing that
bookstores do that libraries don't....offer "customer service on the
floor!" Sometimes we're too busy shelving books to stop and answer
reference questions or directional questions. Be approachable...ask,
"Do you need help?" "Can I help?" "Have you found everything that
you've come for?" "Did you know.....that we have new books on...(name
the subject)...that we are offering a summer program on....(name the
program)....that we offer you to make suggestions for new
purchases....?"
We CAN assist our patrons / students and show our collections while
retaining our systems of organization. Whether it's DDC or LC, it's
better than trying to figure out something that isn't consistent
throughout the general organizational program called "the library."
Other thoughts to consider..... what happens when you leave? After
you've set-up the "new system" and the next librarian returns the
collection to the "standard system"....what happens to the students'
ability to locate materials in other libraries...in other
schools....at the university level....in the same school under a new
librarian?
Consistency is the key....showcase your collection...be proud and
show-off what your library offers, but don't relinquish the standards
for a path of least resistance. It's always THAT pathway that
requires the most work later.... as you (or those who follow) replace
the broken cobblestones of ignorance!
As always...an opinion.
~Shonda
--
Shonda Brisco, MLIS
Library Media / Technology Specialist
Digital Bookends wiki / blog:
http://digitalbookends.pbwiki.com
http://shonda.edublogs.org/
sbrisco@gmail.com
"Digital Resources" columnist
School Library Journal
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