[Publib] Good-bye Dewey

[Bookbitch]

Bookstores definitely want people to spend money; that is their raison
d'etre.  But there is less emphasis on finding a specific title than you
might think - part of bookseller training is that when you look up a book
for a customer on the computer, and the computer shows that there are no
available copies, the bookseller is supposed to tell the customer something
like, "it doesn't look like we have that title, but let's check the shelf".
Then the customer is walked to the area where the book would be shelved in
hopes they will find another book on that topic or by that author that
appeals.
 
Unfortunately, most bookstores are woefully understaffed and especially in
the chain stores, woefully undertrained as well.  It can make for a very
frustrating experience.  But let's be fair - that goes on in libraries too.

 
My bookstore has a separate Holocaust section in the history area.  It's a
huge part of the school curriculum here so it is necessary.  But obviously
not all stores do that.
 
Stacy Alesi
Library Name *Censored*
Boca Raton, Florida
 
I am the BookBitch  
 <http://www.bookbitch.com/> www.bookbitch.com  
Win FREE FOOD FOR MILLIONAIRES by Min Jin Lee, WHACK-A-MOLE by Chris
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From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of Susan Dennis
Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2007 2:54 PM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: Re: [Publib] Good-bye Dewey


Bookstores seem more focused on people finding a specific title, rather than
generally seeking information.  And they also want people to spend a lot of
time looking so that you will buy more books. Some of us just get frustrated
and leave. Not something you want in a library. I have also found that the
bookstore folks don't know where stuff is. If I give them a topic, I usually
get three or four possible places for a book. And they won't let you look in
their computers.
 
If you have a section on WWII, that's great. But if you want something about
the Holocaust, you have to look through all of the WWII books to find it,
because they are sorted by author. In Dewey, the Holocaust books are
together. 


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