Re: [LM_NET] Shakespeare 822.33

[Mark Williams <markwilliams@MAKAW.NET>]

What I did in my library was to class all copies of the plays 
themselves as 822.3 SHA, and any critical sources (including ones 
that had a heavy dose of biography -- if they had any criticism, they 
went in this category) as 822.33 XXX, using the first three letters 
of the author's last name, or the first three letters of the title in 
case of an edited compilation of critical essays.  Biographies (ones 
that were essentially biography and not a mix of biography and 
criticism of the plays) went in 921 SHAKESPEARE  (I always spelled 
out the biographical subject's name -- made for some long labels!).

I know, this doesn't follow Dewey strictly.  I really DO believe in a 
controlled vocabulary, and in a more or less strict adherence to 
Dewey, to enforce some sense of commonality between the school and 
the public libraries.  BUT......  an index is a tool who's purpose is 
to make accessing the collection easier for the patron.  I bent the 
rules when it was in the best interests of the patrons.  This DID 
make it easier for the students to find the criticisms and the 
biography amongst the multiple copies of the plays we stocked.  I had 
at least one copy of each play, and as many as fifteen of ones on 
reading lists, so the 822.3 SHA section was quite large. :-)

Mark Williams
Consulting Librarian
Professional Services for Conferences, Districts, Workshops
markwilliams@makaw.net
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