HIT:State books Part LAST

[Sylvia Adair <adair@EXECPC.COM>]

Thanks again to everybody who sent comments.  I have decided to go ahead
and put the state books in alphabetical order.  We only have a few regional
books, and we have enough shelf space to put the state books in their own
area, next to where they would go Dewey-wise.  My husband had a good idea
(he was actually listening when I talked "library"!)  He suggested getting
filing boxes (like we use for magazines) for each state.  Our books would
fit inside, plus brochures, a laminated list of internet sites, etc.  I
like this idea.  Now all I have to do is get the boxes.;-)  Anyway, here's
the rest of the hit and thanks for being so patient.
Sylvia Adair, Library Media Specialist
Lomira, Wisconsin
adair@execpc.com

I would love to see a hit on this information (since I have often
pondered doing this myself). Thanks in advance.

If putting the books in ABC order helps the students find the
information then go for it! Dewey was created to help people find
information by putting like minded materials together!!!

    I probably won't switch my collection over but it makes sense to me!
Whatever ever makes the collection most useful is the way to go!


That sounds like a workable plan to me.  I have never thought that Dewey
arrangement was "sacred".  I think, as librarians, we need to make
decisions that work best for our students.  When I was an elementary
librarian and had shelves and shelves of fairy tales, folk tales, tall
tales, legends, etc., I decided to shelve them alphabetically by main
character within the 398.2 section, so that all versions of Cinderella
sat together, as did all the Little Red Riding Hoods, Paul Bunyans,
etc.  It was very unorthodox, but worked well for my kiddos.

Sylvia,
I think it is a great idea to arrange the states books in alphabetical
order!  It would probably be easier for everyone!  I did that same thing
with a Perspectives on History series in our library.  They are all skinny
little books about different time periods in American history.  They were
originally shelved, by the librarian before me, in their respective
individual places on the shelves based on subject matter.  Whenever
teachers or students tried to find them, they couldn't!  So I finally
pulled them all out and put them in their own little section.  No one has
a problem finding them now!  My feeling is that yes, we learn about
cataloging in library school, but one of topics that comes up over and
over again is that you have to catalog and shelve books based on what will
work in your particular library.

I say kudos to you!  I've often contemplated alphabetizing the states
books myself!

 I did the same thing (alphabetizing the states) when I was in
elementary library (for 17 years!)

Hi, we have a set of books about states that we keep in a
separate shelf IN Alphabetical Order.  I feel that the ease of
use mandates this.

Sylvia--
Our fifth graders are finishing up their state reports.  I did something
different from your plan.  We have three classes working on this project
right now, and no one could borrow the books so that they could be
available to all (most are From Sea to Shining Sea). I put the books on
a cart with a sign that they were meant for this project and for library
use only. If no extra cart, find another area and label it.  I would
rather do this than reshelve out of Dewey order because I try to
reinforce the logic of the Dewey order, and when students go to other
libraries, they can make the connection between the arrangement in one
and the arrangement in another.
***************************************************

Congratulations!  You read the WHOLE thing!  Hope this helps somebody else
in my situation.
Sylvia


Sylvia Adair, Library Media Specialist
Lomira, Wisconsin
adair@execpc.com

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