[Publib] DDC and Bookstores

[Patrick Sweeney]

Hey team!
First time posting here :)
Throughout this whole discussion I'm thinking that maybe we are just presenting Dewey to public in a less than meaningful way.  I always tell people that Dewey (or any other classification system) just helps us put the books where they need to go, but maybe we need to not make the public use these systems to find the books.  Our library was looking at utilizing some visual signs from Oakland (I think) that clearly label each classification area in a way that is meaningful to the patrons and will magnetically stick to the shelving.  Anyway, what I'm saying is that I don't think classification systems are the problem I think that the way that we present them to the public is the real problem.  Maybe we should just change that?  Just my random thoughts here.




________________________________
From: Anna Porter Public Library <kt at annaporterpl.org>
To: Publib at webjunction.org; ARSL Listserv <ARSL-L at bcr-lists.org>
Sent: Monday, January 5, 2009 7:54:30 AM
Subject: [Publib] DDC and Bookstores


In planning for the new library building to open in 
February 2009 we use bookstore style shelving, layout and signs AND Dewey 
numbers.  We developed our own subject categories resembling but not based 
on BISAC headings.  Our new online circcat system (Apollo by 
Biblionix) provides for each item its Location (by subject category) and 
its Dewey no.  I strongly feel we need Dewey to group each smaller category 
together within the larger shelf location categories. Without Dewey's 
specificity you cannot tell a patron for sure where an item is or is 
not.
 
That said, I invite all to the 2009 Conference of the 
Association for Rural and Small Libraries to be held Sept. 11, 12 and 13, 
2009 here in Gatlinburg.  We hope to hold a pre-conference program 
Sept. 10, 2009 at our new building on this "bookstore" or "merchandised" 
library concept.  We may be the first library to be built from the design 
stage forward intended to resemble, but not replicate, a bookstore.  I 
would very much like to be in contact with all adopting this concept, maybe we 
could develop a panel presentation for later conferences.
 
I'm happy to share modifications we have made to adapt 
Dewey, or our list of categories or any helpful information for anyone 
considering this sort of project.
 
In the meantime you can visit our catalog at https://annaporter.biblionix.com/atoz/catalog/
 
Happy New Year and
Cheers,
Kenton
 
Kenton Temple, Director
Anna Porter Public 
Library
207 Cherokee Orchard Road
Gatlinburg, Tennessee 38838
kt at annaporterpl.org
www.annaporterpl.org



      
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