Re: [LM_NET] Dewey Decimal System eliminated in new Arizona library.

[Connie Williams <chwms@MAC.COM>]

Are we really asking here about the usefulness of a catalog? No  
matter what system we use to organize books on the shelves, we'll  
still need a catalog to locate specific books. And having a system  
that stays the same throughout your k-12 [and adult life in public  
libraries] experience makes it easy to know that you can always find  
what you need by going to the catalog. Doesn't matter if its DDC -  
that's just a convention. BUT, it's "our" convention in the U.S. Why  
fix it if it ain't broke?

Seems to me that we're just paving the way to get rid of librarians  
and replace them with 'locators' who can help you find a book on the  
shelf.

Personally,  I love helping kids find books, but I'd rather not spend  
my time helping them locate books on shelves. I'd rather know that  
simple location questions can be answered by reminding them that they  
know how to find it by themselves using the catalog- because I taught  
them how in the beginning of the year and reminded them each class  
visit. Then I can be chatting up books with other students or helping  
them with their research questions or working with them on their  
videos, podcasts or powerpoint presentations.

Consistency throughout the system is what I'd be after. If it's  
bookstore style placement on shelves, who cares? But, you'll still  
need a catalog if you want to find a specific book on a specific  
topic - and that cataloging system needs to be the same in every  
library, or else you'll really make it hard for your patrons to  
become self reliant library users.

Authority control really needn't be a bad thing...

IMHO
Connie Williams



Connie Williams
Teacher Librarian
National Board Certified
Kenilworth Jr High
Petaluma, CA

chwms@mac.com



On May 31, 2007, at 9:40 AM, sarah wrote:

I think I am in the minority. I love this idea and I've been trying to
think of a way to incorporate a similar system into my library. Sure,
there will be kinks to work out, but I don't think there is any real
need for the specificity that Dewey provides. Why not put all the
books on baseball in one place, no matter what the *specific* topic
(individual players vs. how-tos vs. the economics of the game, etc.),
and then arrange by author? Then let users tag the books for extra
access points. And have helpful librarians on hand to point users in
the right direction. It makes sense to me.

On 5/31/07, Young, Jennifer <jyoung@norton.k12.ma.us> wrote:
> If you can count and know your ABCs, you can use a Dewey number to
> locate a book.  The idea that Americans aren't smart enough to do this
> is troubling.  We already have signs indicating general topics (and
> Dewey #s).  I'm looking at 700 The Arts right now.  Libraries can
> certainly update their signage to make it more appealing, and possibly
> more helpful, but the idea of throwing away one classification system
> and replacing it with a less precise system is ridiculous.
>
> Jennifer Young
> Library Media Specialist
> Norton High School
> 66 West Main Street
> Norton, MA 02766
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: School Library Media & Network Communications
> [mailto:LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Shonda Brisco
> Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2007 11:21 AM
> To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
> Subject: Re: Dewey Decimal System eliminated in new Arizona library.
>
> The article suggests that this type of system (the DDC) is hard for
> someone to remember.  Excuse me, but I've taught blind children how to
> write down a call number and locate a braille book on the shelves at a
> library serving blind and visually impaired children.  At NO point did
> these children "remember" the call number but instead, learned how to
> locate information, take notes, and then physically locate the books
> based upon their location (address) on the shelves.
>
> The same is true with sighted (or any) children.  We don't teach
> children to remember the DDC, we teach them to take notes, to use
> those notes (the call number) to physically locate the book on the
> shelves.  If they recall specific areas or call numbers, it's
> generally because the SUBJECT is of interest to them and the areas
> (call numbers) are consistent, regardless of which library they use!!
> That's part of the beauty of the DDC or the LC--- the consistency of
> the location based upon the SAME information which is shared between
> libraries.  (Try locating a book in Barnes & Noble, then in Borders,
> and then at "Ye Local Bookstore of Olde" ...good luck finding the same
> titles in the same "subject areas" based upon the WHIMS of those who
> are in charge of the bookstore!)
>
> I personally do not remember how to drive to San Antonio each time we
> have an ALA or TLA meeting there; however, I do have the skills
> necessary to locate the information, take notes, follow those
> instructions, and locate the meeting address.  The beauty of this
> procedure....I always find the location based upon the consistency of
> the road map!!
>
> This is part of being information literate....and if we continue to
> spoon feed individuals (adults or otherwise) rather than require them
> to seek information in a manner that shows some information literacy /
> intellectual growth (or at least two grey cells rubbing together to
> spark an idea), then we are definitely leading the poor dumb
> sheep....off the cliff and into the abyss.
>
> Just another opinion....
>
> ~Shonda
>
> On 5/30/07, Barbara Allen <BSAllen@aol.com> wrote:
> >
> > This may be of  interest:
> >
> _http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/ 
> 0530nodewey0530
> .html_
> >
> (http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/ 
> 0530nodewey0530
> .html)
> > OMG!
> > Barbara  Allen
> > Technical Coordinator
> > Library Services
> > Tucson Unified School  District
> > Tucson, AZ
> >
> >
> >
> > ************************************** See what's free at
> http://www.aol.com.
> >
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> --
> Shonda Brisco, MLIS
> Library Media / Technology Specialist
> Digital Bookends wiki / blog:
> http://digitalbookends.pbwiki.com
> http://shonda.edublogs.org/
> sbrisco@gmail.com
>
> "Digital Resources" columnist
> School Library Journal
>
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