[Publib] RE: Good-bye to Dewey

[K.G. Schneider]

> relatively small percentage of the library user population.  If Dewey was
> so obstructive to accessing materials, it would have been superceded by
> some other method long ago.  

I heard a talk this morning by Bob Stein of the Institute for the Future
of the Book where he said it was another 70 years after the invention of
the printing press before someone thought of using page numbers in
books. 

I can come up with other examples, but my point is that just because
something hasn't been thought of or invented doesn't mean there isn't a
need, or that it can't improve things. 

The real test will not be what we conjecture on this list, but how this
and other examples of post-Dewey organization measure up. Even at that
(and I mean no disrespect for Maricopa) if they implemented the change
less than optimally, or if there are other confounding factors, ONE
example does not equal that the idea is not sound. 

Frankly, we should be rooting for this to work. Wouldn't it be great if
we found something that improved library services and might even be
easier for us to teach and learn ourselves? Ok, it's Friday, so I can
answer my own question: of course it would be! Think of life before auto
cupholders, or pantyhose, or the food processor! 

Incidentally, I am at a conference and Sara is no doubt busy herself,
but as far as I know there have not been any examples of name-calling in
this thread (though I did feel some of the posts were somewhat harsh to
the Maricopa system... jeepers, people, they didn't introduce Satan
worship at children's storytime, they're trying a Dewey alternative in
ONE library that's a NEW facility). However, if anyone received messages
they feel are off-base, they are welcome to contact me and/or Sara.
(Simply disagreeing on the issue does not constitute name-calling or
rudeness.)

Karen / PUBLIB 
Half of the official PUBLIB gripe-gathering team