LM_NET: Library Media Networking
- Subject: HIT: Paperbacks in collection (Long--part 1)
- From: "Wolfgram, Linda" <lwolfgram@BENTON.K12.IA.US>
- Date: Tue, 6 Aug 1996 17:48:46 -0500
The TARGET:
> Hello! This might have been discussed before, but I could not find
> anything in the archives. Please forgive me if this has been covered
> previously.
>
> What are the pros and cons of having paperback fiction separate from
> hardcover fiction? I have inherited a collection where the two are
> separate, and the paperbacks do not appear to be in the card catalog. I'm
> thinking about interfiling the paperbacks with the hardcovers (which would,
> of course, mean cataloging these as well), but might make it easier for
> students to find books (instead of having to look in two separate
> locations). What do you think?
>
> Has anyone had good or bad experiences with either or both methods? Please
> respond to me directly and I'll post a hit. Thanks for your comments!
The HIT:
Wow! Again, I am amazed and most grateful for the prompt and thorough
replies in response to my target on whether or not you integrate or
separate paperbacks from hardcover books in your collections. I will
summarize the responses, followed by the actual responses for those who
want more specific information.
Most people have the paperbacks in separate collections and gave the
following reasons:
1. Paperbacks tend to get "lost" among hardcovers on the shelves
2. Many students will browse for a paperback if they are in a separate
section
As far as cataloging, most people with automated systems fully catalog the
paperbacks, but those with non-automated systems tend to have them
cataloged not at all or minimally with just author and title cards or just
a shelflist card.
Several people who have integrated the collections like this arrangement,
primarily because it increases hardcover circulation and it is easier to
find all the books by one author, etc.
Others had special arrangements that were interesting solutions to the
dilemma. I received replies from elementary, middle, and high schools and
many of the comments were similar from people at the same grade levels.
I'm glad I asked for advice from all of you before I made the
decision--this is my first position and I have enough to do without taking
on this project right now. :-) The reasons you all gave both for having
the collections separate and for integrating them make strong cases for
either method. I guess it comes down to what works best in each situation!
Thanks again for all of your responses!
Linda Wolfgram
The ACTUAL RESPONSES:
++++++
Date: Fri, 2 Aug 1996 21:34:41 -0500 (CDT)
From: Betty Dawn Hamilton <bhamilt@tenet.edu>
> Has anyone had good or bad experiences with either or both methods? Please
> respond to me directly and I'll post a hit. Thanks for your comments!
Linda, our library has both collections. One reason why I don't shelve
the paperbacks with the hardcovers is because they just don't fit! They
keep getting shoved behind or knocked down or mixed up in some way. We
have the fiction shelves adjacent to the paperback racks, but they aren't
together.
We *do* have the paperbacks in the card catalog, but they are identified
with a "P Fic BLU" type of entry. No cross references, no details. Just
the barest of entries. If it has a P in the classification, then
students know to browse the paperback racks. My library aide is in
charge of paperbacks so ONE person will be familiar with where books are
placed. We shelve them on the racks in *somewhat* alphabetical order by
author (all A's together, B's together, etc.), but if only one person is
responsible, then that person will know pretty well where she put the
books when they came it.
Our automation system, MOLLI, has a template for paperbacks that is very
short and contains only the bare necessities.
Betty
Betty Dawn Hamilton * bhamilt@tenet.edu * 806.637.4523
Learning Resources Specialist * Tenet Master Trainer * Brownfield High School
701 Cub Drive * Brownfield, TX 79316
++++++
Date: Fri, 2 Aug 1996 21:37:26 -0500 (CDT)
From: Connie Ann Rhoades <crhoades@tenet.edu>
Linda -
I presently am in a middle school where all the paperbacks are on the
shelves with the hardbacks. I have found that the paperbacks tend to get
lost behind hardbacks and that they don't stay in order.
In my two previous schools (which were elementary), I used paperback
racks for all my paperbacks. This worked great. I must also add that
only the older elementary students checked these out and there weren't as
many in the collection as in my middle school.
I still think I will order the racks and put all the series on them-
Goosebumps,Babysitter's Club, etc.
Connie Rhoades
crhoades@tenet.edu
++++++
Date: Fri, 2 Aug 1996 21:44:34 -0500 (CDT)
From: Carl Seale <cseale@tenet.edu>
I do not shelve paperbacks with hardbacks (popular fiction) nor do I
catalog it. I have it on a separate shelf as an exchange program. Any
one who brings a paperback can exchange it for another paperback. If one
turns up missing, so be it. Paperbacks are not worth the time and
trouble it takes to catalog and fool with them since they do not hold
up. If a book is only available in paperback, then we order it in
something like a permabound version.
Many of the librarians in Fort Worth follow this same policy.
* Carl Seale, Librarian cseale@tenet.edu *
* Fort Worth ISD Fort Worth TX *
* *
* Be careful what you wish for; you may get it. *
++++++
Date: Fri, 02 Aug 1996 20:08:51 -0700
From: Robert Laramee <bookworm@lightspeed.net>
We keep trade paperbacks separated from hardback books for a few
reasons.
1) Many students are interested only in paperbacks and will not look
on the regular shelving for leisure reading titles.
2) I can keep a tighter control on the paperbacks. It is amazing how
quickly some of them break down and if the book is popular, and I see it
needs replacing, I do it right away.
3) Paperback bookracks are attractive and enticing. I have seen many
adults casually peruse the paperback racks as they enter the library
media center for other reasons. They never go to the regular shelving.
and
4) Paperbacks make a mess of regular shelving. They are so small that
they throw all of the books out of whack (sp).
Keep them separated, but do catalog them at least by title and author.
Bob Laramee
++++++
Date: Fri, 2 Aug 1996 23:44:44 -0400
From: Sarah Lantz <sarahl@ccpl.carr.lib.md.us>
Hi Linda-
The collection which I inherited last year has the paperback collection
apart from the hardback collection. Personally, I think it defeats our goal
of providing access but...it's still that way and I'm only toying with the
possibility of merging them (too many more pressing things to do). Two
other collections that I've worked with had the two types merged....much
better access but the shelves don't *look* as nice.
Up until now our paperbacks are not catalogued...nor were they in the other
two collections even when interfiled w/hardbacks. In Maryland there is
sometimes state $$ available to bring media centers up to state standards
and one of those standards in the size of the collection. Many media
specialists do not catalog paperbacks, most of which if not all, come free
from book fairs or donations. Again this defeats our goal of best access.
This also isn't really fair in terms of presenting a true reflection of the
collection. This year I actually ordered some fiction in paperback as funds
are just too, too tight to meet all of our needs. I will catalog those but
will shelve them w/the paperback collection and so indicate that in the
catalog. Eventually I do hope to provide a very brief catalog entry on all
of them but I don't know when I'll have that kind of time.
Sally Lantz sarahl@ccpl.carr.lib.md.us
++++++
Date: Fri, 02 Aug 1996 20:46:51 -0700 (MST)
From: jschwarz@CCIT.ARIZONA.EDU
Dear Linda, I think the practice of separating paperbacks from hardbacks
started way back in the 60's 0r 70's when librarians didn't consider pb's
worth the trouble to catalog. I don't know about you, but several years
ago, I decided it was much more economical to purchase kids novels in pb
because I could get 3-5 for the price of a hardback and kids were more
inclined to chose a pb. I also felt much better about buying lots of
copies of books that were really popular and then tossing them when the
fad passed or they wore out. We did interfile the pb's and hb's on the
shelf and in the catalog and shelf list and circ file (before computers) I
found it made MUCH more sense and both kids and I could find things. i
also think that with the beginning of lit studies several years ago, it
was important to have good subject access to fiction in paper and hadrback
so that teachers could build text sets. Now with computers, it makes alot
of sense to give as much annotation to novels as one has time for so that
they can be located with keyword searches for intergrated units as well as
text sets. I do think that "skinny" books like picture books get lost on
the shelves if they are in paperback, but that it is very worthwhile to
give novels the "full treatment" so that they can be utilized more widely
Hope this helps!
Judi Schwarz
Tucson Unified School District
Tucson, AZ
++++++
Date: Fri, 2 Aug 1996 23:47:16 -0400 (EDT)
From: fisherb@dexter.k12.mi.us (Bettie Fisher)
Linda, I can't say I've had experience exactly, but we decided to interfile
our paperbacks this year. Actually, we did it in the spring. We thought,
too, that it would make finding books simpler. We (We is me and my 1/2 day
per week clerk) put series paperbacks on the spin racks where the regular
pbs were before: things like the American Girl books, Danny Dunn, etc.
Otherwise, there isn't enough room for all of them and the kids are used to
finding the series books in a separate location. Anyway, we thought we'd
try it this year and see what we think. We are being remodeled next
summer, so we thought that would help us decide how we want to do it.
Bettie Fisher
fisherb@dexter.k12.mi.us
9628 Daisy Lane
Dexter, MI 48130
++++++
Date: Fri, 2 Aug 1996 23:42:28 -0500 (CDT)
From: Lynn McCree <lmcc@tenet.edu>
My paperbacks are on turn around shelves and the students seem to like to
browse among them. The fiction are roughly in order by author and the
non fiction are in a separate shelf by number. They aren't catalogued, but
I do have a shelf list of them so I can tell if we have a particular book.
I will probably do some sort of entering when we get automated but this
works fine for now.
Lynn McCree, Librarian
Martin Junior High
Austin, Texas
Lmcc@tenet.edu
++++++
Date: Fri, 02 Aug 1996 23:45:12 -0500
From: Joanne Peters <jpeters@MINET.gov.MB.CA>
Dear Linda:
At both my previous school library and my current school
library, the paperback fiction was shelved separately and not
catalogued (only a Shelf List card existed). However, with
automation, it became necessary and highly worthwhile to have
the paperback fiction catalogued.
I see no good reason to interfile the paperbacks with hard
covers, although cataloguing them is worthwhile, especially if
you automate. Paperbacks are more readily displayed on spinner
racks and trying to keep shelves straight and neat with both small and
large-size books is very challenging.
As for finding books, students benefit from looking at both
collections; it also improves their location skills.
Joanne Peters
Kelvin High School Library
Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada
++++++
Date: Sat, 3 Aug 1996 00:25:39 -0500 (CDT)
From: Wanda Cuniff <wcuniff@tenet.edu>
It's funny--I was just about to post a Target question on this very same
topic! I am librarian in a large middle school for 7-8 grade (1000+
students) and I use Follett's Unison products. Since I automated in
1988, I have used temporary barcodes on cards that I slip into the pocket
of paperbacks. I have so many paperbacks that I fill 3 tall spinning
racks. However, paperbacks account for over 50% of my circulation. I
have been advised to barcode the pbs and thereby make them able to be
accessed via the catalog. But I find the idea of barcoding hundreds,
possibly thousands of semi-tatty (in many cases) paperbacks really daunting.
Even brief records would take me forever to enter. So right now, I feel
the extra minute it takes to type a temp. card is worth it, and my kids
don't seem to really mind the fact that paperbacks are in a browsing
collection. I keep my racks right opposite the checkout counter, so it's
really handier for them to grab a pb than search for a regular fiction
title.
I guess in a way it sort of seems to fit in with a middle schoolers
style, too, to just be able to dash in for a few minutes and get a cool
paperback and take off. I wonder if it would hurt my circulation if they
had to go all the way over to the regular shelves....they might not make
the effort. I keep baskets of "hot" titles right on the circulation
counter, too--a basket of RL Stine, a basket of sci-fi, a basket of
FarSide and Calvin pbs--so some kids never bother to get past those, and
it sure makes shelving a breeze.
I tell kids at the beginning of the year during orientation that it's
gonna cost 'em $4 if they lose a paperback barcode card. They hardly
ever do, and when they do, they usually pay up. I make a big deal out of
warning them not to use the card for a bookmarker, etc.
So, I don't know, I guess I like it the way I do it, but I'm always
willing to consider a new way of looking at it.
Wanda Cuniff, Librarian Rusk Middle School
wcuniff@tenet.edu 411 N. Mound Street
409-569-3123 Nacogdoches, TX. 75961
++++++
From: dmclaugh@llpptn.pall.org (Deborah McLaughlin)
Date: Sat, 3 Aug 1996 06:50:01 -0400 (EDT)
Mine too, are separate. I do not catalog the paperbacks because they do not
last as long as the hardcovered books and the kids could never find them
amongst the shelves. I got a school bus display from the grocery store to
hold the paperbacks. The kids find it more appealing. Though the down side
is because they are not catalogued it sometimes is difficult to find.
Deborah McLaughlin
Deblaugh@aol.com
++++++
From: Julia Files Steger <jsteger@pen.k12.va.us>
Date: Sat, 3 Aug 96 7:18:28 EDT
I have always had a separate rack for paperbacks because of the
fragility of their covers; I have also always cataloged them.
Between the students and myself, we can find the books--on the
catalog cards I always noted PAPERBACK in upper right hand
corner. We are automating this fall and I am hoping that
the paperback notation was included as I requested for the OPAC
listings.
Julia
--
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Julia Steger ** A Lap Is A Terrible Thing To Waste--
Clifton Forge VA Adopt A Pet From Your Local
jsteger@pen.k12.va.us Animal Shelter **
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
++++++
Date: Sat, 3 Aug 1996 07:27:13 -0400 (EDT)
From: jhulslan@MailBox.Syr.Edu
When I started in my library 12 years ago the paperbacks were separate
from the hardcovers. I lived with it several years, and then interfiled
them. It was so much easier for the students to find books. This was
also the time when I automated so I then processed the paperbacks with
very simple mark records.
Judy Hulslander Home
Elk Lake High School Library RR 3 Box 124
P.O. Box 100 Meshoppen, PA 18630
Dimock, PA 18816
++++++
Date: Sat, 3 Aug 1996 07:47:06 -0400 (EDT)
From: Fred Muller Newton <fmuller@saturn.planet.net>
I inherited separate collection when I got my job. What made it really
bad was the paperbacks were shelved by color coded categories. I
couldn't find anything. I kept the color codes buy file by author so I
can find things. I am now fully automated and still maintain paperbacks
seperately. If I shelved them together, the whole collection would be
intimidating in size. Many kids only want paperbacks. I must constantly
remind kids that I have some books only in paperback, some only in
hardback, and some in both. I will continue to keep the collection
separate. It is easy to find things in the automated catalog - yes
EVERYTHING is cataloged now.
Frederick Muller, Halsted Middle School Library
Librarian 59 Halsted Street voice (201) 383-7554
fmuller@planet.net Newton, NJ 07860 FAX (201) 383-7432
++++++
Date: Sat, 3 Aug 1996 00:14:43 +0000
From: Deena Wells <willie@IAC.NET>
Mine were separate, too, and after observing the
circulation patterns for a year I started the following: Note that
when I use the term fiction I mean the regular fiction collection.
When I refer to paperbacks, they're on a paperback rack and separate
from the rest of the fiction. The call number for fiction was F/AUT,
for paperback it was P/AUT/T where type stands for the type of
paperback section (sports, animal books, mystery,
scifi/fantasy, general).
1. Pull all the PB mainstream fiction and add to the regular fiction
(Kids who like Roald Dahl in paperback will like him just as well
in hardback.) This was done haphazardly by the previous
librarian, but she indicated the difference between them by
putting permanent covers on what was going into the regular
collection and just taping what was to remain in the paperback
racks. We buy periodical covers (plastic, black paper edges)
from I think Demco. I can doublecheck source when I get back in
school. If the paperbacks went onto the fiction shelves. from
the beginning, they ceased being paperbacks and became regular
fiction by grace of these covers with a F/AUT call number and
accession numbers.
2. The paperbacks that I consider part of popular culture
(Goosebumps, for example) and that are not likely to end up as
part of my permanent collection remain paperbacks. They are
not accessioned, and are tracked simply by copy number.
They have author and title cards in the card catalog,
but not subject cards. I view these books as throw-aways.
When they start to look ratty, I simply toss without worrying
about replacing immediately and wondering about the
effect on my holdings statistics. I can pick up this type of
book as a freebie during the book fair, or with book premium
points from book clubs. I do not spend $ to obtain these
books, nor do I worry specifically about replacing them by
title. If I worry about replacing a book by title, it's going
to be permanent enough to go to the fiction stacks when/if I do
replace it
The problem with this--my kids prefer paperbacks. They'll hit the
paperback racks before they head into the stacks. By moving the
mainstream fiction paperbacks into the stacks, I'm luring
more of them into the stacks. Those that read only Goosebumps will
still have them, and at least I can see at a glance who's lingering
at the paperback rack during class checkout and target those kids for
some intensive booktalking. When all 25 were at the paperback rack
it was harder to keep track of who was reading what. And even if I
studied the cards after checkout, I still didn't see them for
another week. (I hate fixed scheduling).
A second problem--I have to very carefully weed the fiction. I'm
human, and confess that I usually spent more time weeding the
nonfiction. Now fiction requires more time because I have to do a
lot more physical inspection of the paperbacks. I'm mending more
paperbacks than ever, too, and I'm trying to figure out the most
economical way to prepare them for the permanent fiction shelf.
Maybe a combination of tape spine reinforcement along with those
plastic periodical covers I described. I think if paperbacks are
shelved in with hardbacks, kids thend to think of them as hardbacks
and treat them as hardbacks (a little rougher handling). It'll take
another year or so of observation before I can draw more definite
conclusions.
A third problem--because they didn't have subject cards to begin
with, they still don't have them now. And I haven't found time to go
back yet and change all the P call numbers to F. (We're talking
about hundreds of books.) I posted a sign that said if
you didn't find the paperback you want in the paperback rack,
check the fiction shelves. That worked well for me the year I moved
all the E books into the regular F stacks, so I'm not worried about
rushing to fix the card catalog. In fact, since I just purchased the
whole Follett software system, I may not ever get around to adding
subject cards for the re-catalogued paperbacks physically to the
card catalog, and just wait until I go online for them to be
represented.
The benefits, in terms of helping the reluctant reader, are
tremendous. Basically, readers are readers, and they'll find books
wherever you put them. My method helps me target at a glance
those kids who need a little guidance in book selection, and if
I can get to them, they leave with only one Goosebumps and
another book I've talked them into.
No, I don't regret moving the paperbacks, but remember that I only
moved part of them.
Deena Wells,Librarian
Stewart Elementary
Oxford,Ohio
* willie@iac.net
* dazbell@tlcnet.muohio.edu
++++++
Date: Sat, 3 Aug 1996 07:30:08 -0500
From: kingjs@MTS.Net
Hi Linda,
I also inherited a fiction collection with the hardcover and paperbacks
separated. I soon discovered that the hardcover were rarely looked at. So
I have integrated the two collections. I also did a pretty severe weeding
also so that the hardcovers that were left are all excellent literature. I
can't tell you the results yet because I just made the change.
I've noticed in libraries that I have visited that they are usually
separated. I'd love to find out what kind of responses you get!
My paperbacks are catalogued, thank goodness! But I rarely get around to
inventory with them. That will be a frightful process!!
Good luck!
Susan
Susan Fonseca-King Darwin School (K-9, 400 students)
Teacher-Librarian 175 Darwin Street
<kingjs@mts.net> Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Fax # (204)257-1605 R2M 4A9
++++++
Date: Sat, 3 Aug 1996 08:02:49 -0600
From: sturz@mcs.net (sturz)
Paperbacks tend to get lost among the hardcovers (size & bending).
++++++
Date: Sat, 03 Aug 1996 09:20:18 -0400 (EDT)
From: Ala Sue Moretz <moretzas@conrad.appstate.edu>
Hi Linda,
Until about three years ago, I also had a separate paperback
collection--one in the easy book section and one in the fiction section.
(I'm in a K-8 school.) And like your situation, the books just were not
moving. So, after we automated our circulation, I cataloged all of the
paperbacks and shelved them with the hardback collection. The paperbacks
have been used much more and have not been a problem on the shelf. I
have also cataloged the easy book collection and shelved them with the
other easy books. The children seem to have no problems with this
arrangement and actually seem thrilled when they find a paperback.
The only "con" I have experienced is the time involved in cataloging these.
I did weed heavily before starting and did most of it during one summer.
But once that was done, it has not been a problem to keep up with them.
Hope this information helps you with your decision. Good luck!
Ala Sue Moretz
Media Specialist
Green Valley Elementary School
Boone, NC 28607
moretzas@conrad.appstate.edu
++++++
Date: Sat, 3 Aug 1996 09:28:21 -0400 (EDT)
From: nbm <nbm@nando.net>
I have 2 racks of paperbacks (K-5 school, 1000 students) I keep double
and triple copies of titles (Blume, Sacher) as well as the popular series
like Goosebumps and Babysitters books there. They are for the more
advanced readers beginning with books written by Giff and Kline (ex.).
The books are in my data base simply by author, title, series or as a
added record to the hardback. The paperback racks are labeled with one
letter of the alphabet so books are loosely alpabetized. (ex Cleary and
Christopher, Coville could be side by side) This is working very well in
a school of readers.
Nancy McNitt Morrisville El. School Morrisville, NC
++++++
Date: Sat, 3 Aug 1996 09:49:09 -0400 (EDT)
From: Roselle_Weiner <r_weiner@sacam.OREN.ORTN.EDU>
If i had my druthers, i'd arrange the paperbacks by title in a separate
area and would have subject cataloging...because the teaching staff seems
to need this sort of assistance. but i don't have the time or staff to
do it so i'm stuck. we have scads of paperbacks that are mostly
uncataloged and no idea what we have because of that!
would be thrilled to see the hit you post
roselle
American School for the Deaf
r_weiner@sacam.oren.ortn.edu
++++++
Date: Sat, 3 Aug 1996 10:27:32 -0400 (EDT)
From: Shelley Glantz <glantz@meol.mass.edu>
Linda,
I have been an LMS on both the Junior and Senior high levels. In both
cases, I separated the paperback fiction, and found higher circulation.
Students use the pb collection for browsing when looking for personal
reading. Even on the HS level where their leisure reading drops off
because of lack of time, they will browse there before vacations, etc.
Students that age (grades 6-12) really prefer the pb format. If they are
looking for a specific title they will go to the hardcover collection as
a last resort.
When I was at the jr. high with a catalog, I did not include pb titles,
because of the browsing use. I did reinforce them with tape on the spine
and cover to make them last longer. Now that I am at a hs with
automation, I use a brief MARC record for ppaerbacks. I still reinforce
the covers for longer use.
Shelley Glantz
Arlington (MA) High School
glantz@meol.mass.edu
++++++
Date: Sat, 3 Aug 1996 10:24:23 -0400 (EDT)
From: Jane Green <jgreen@admin.carman.k12.mi.us>
Hi Linda,
I had that same decision and I ended putting them in the fiction
section. To me, it is so much better! They stay nicer, they are easier
to find, and it forces the kids to look through the fiction section :),
which isn't bad at all! yes, you'll have to catalog, but I only put in
the absolutely necessary info..and just a few subjects. Good luck on
your decision. Jane Green
++++++
Date: Sat, 3 Aug 1996 10:46:34 -0400
From: MJSchor@aol.com
Linda,
There was a discussion on paperbacks last year-I know because I initiated it.
Basically, I wanted to know how others processed them (I was looking at a few
hundred-free from book fairs). I don't have an aide to help me process them.
I definitely recommend keeping them separate-for some reason paperbacks
circulate while the same book will sit on the shelf. Kids are attracted to
the paperbacks. Also they get lost on the shelves in between the "big"
hardcovers. Many of the books that the kids are reading (Goosebumps, My
Teacher is an Alien stuff) would never be purchased as hardcovers. I just
find that the kids will take out more books when they can find them grouped
together in the paperbacks section.
As far as processing, I keep an updated binder listing all of the paperbacks
which is right next to the paperbacks. I have the books listed by title
because that's how the kids look for them. The call number of all PBs is PB
STI (yuck Goosebumps). I type up the call # label, the pocket and book card.
I reinforced flyleafs and up until recently put contact on them (this
definitely is worthwhile but I just don't have the time). When a paperback
is ruined, lost, etc. I just delete it from the list.
Hope this helps.
Marjorie Schor
mjschor@aol.com
++++++
----------------------------------------------------------
Linda Wolfgram
wolfgraml@crpl.cedar-rapids.lib.ia.us
Middle/High School Media Specialist
Benton Community Schools
Van Horne, IA
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