[Publib] Dewey Decimal Classification

[Jesse Ephraim]

>Now we have one who says many libraries are 
>doing away with the DDC and she thinks it is a 
>waste of money for us to continue using that system. 
>Question - how many of you have done away with the 
>DDC and what are you doing instead?

We are partway through the process of doing away with it.

Our new system moves away from having numbers as the main designators,
in favor of more human-readable words (or shortened versions of words).
We are combining that with better signage, clear separation of series
with multiple authors, groupings that make more sense to the patrons,
and more.  For example, all the children's Star Wars stuff - fiction or
non-fiction - goes in the same general area now.

Having said that, I have to stress that we are a small library (26,000
people in town) with no physical branches.  We are not suggesting that
all libraries move away from Dewey, or even most of them.   It would be
a very difficult feat - and not necessarily a wise one - for larger
libraries to do something like that.

Our decision was based on the specific needs of our populace.  Our
situation is very different from that of most libraries, so our approach
to library services differs a bit.  For example, we are in an upscale
outdoors shopping mall in a wealthy suburb in easy walking distance of a
large Barnes & Noble.  Our demographics are pretty unusual, and the
needs of our patrons are somewhat unique.   We decided to move away from
Dewey due to a number of factors that probably would not be found in
most places.


Jesse Ephraim

Youth Services Librarian
Southlake Public Library
1400 Main St., Ste. 130
Southlake, TX  76092

Email:   jephraim at ci.southlake.tx.us
Phone: (817) 748-8248
FAX:    (817) 748-8250
www.southlakelibrary.org
uncommonly friendly service