[Publib] RE: Good-bye to Dewey

[Elizabeth Thorson]

Dale has hit the nail on the head with this one. I think it is every reference librarian's prerogative - even their duty - to adjust call numbers to suit local needs. It may drive cataloging purists a little crazy, but hey, it's worth it. 

(In my current job, I supervise reference AND technical services, so I have the ultimate authority! Ha ha ha ha!)

Seriously, every library should be organized in a way that makes it easy for people to find what they need. Bookstores too. If that means that Dewey gets tweaked, OK. (Ooh, the mental image ...) I don't think it's really helpful to debate "Library" vs "Bookstore" - there are flaws and benefits in both "systems." Just pick a system and make it work for YOUR environment.

In my library, we are already grouping career materials and resumes in defiance of Dewey ... we're changing the numbers for our study guides this summer ... then we're tackling Shakespeare and auto repair manuals ... after that, who knows? 

Of course we are documenting all of this, so that when I win the lottery and head off to warmer climes, someone will understand my logic.

Elizabeth

>>> "Dale McNeill" <dale.mcneill at gmail.com> 6/1/2007 11:39 AM >>>
I'll be quiet on this subject after this post, I promise.  Tony's post,
though, gives me to opportunity to repeat that DDC *doesn't* force any
library to divide test books or to separate books on computing.