'm writing an article about how libraries are arranged (by Dewey system or
>LC system) and how new trends are forming through the influences of
>bookstores and our patrons. Primarily, as librarians we continue to hear
>those questions such as, "Where are your science fiction novels?" "Where
>are the westerns?" "Where are the fantasy novels?"
>
>My questions to you are: Do you believe that changing school libraries to
>resemble "bookstore" arrangements (by genre--i.e., sports, travel, history,
>romance, self-help, etc.) would be more beneficial for these patrons?
This is one thing that absolutely irks me. When the public library branch
that I liked to use because it was on my way home changed to this
arrangement, I objected. I was told that it was easier on the patrons who
were confused by the DDS. The impression I got was that they felt the
patrons in that area were not able to comprehend how the books were
arranged, that they were slow or less intelligent. My answer was that the
catalog gave call numbers and when the material isn't shelved as the call
number shows, how are they to find the material? I was told it was easier
to find things by broad subjects, than having to walk along the shelves
looking for numbers. I countered that I thought the place looked more
confusing as all the signs made it hard to determine where you wanted look
for things. I found it confusing. Books of a certain genre were all mixed on
the shelf and you had to look at each one to see if it was the one you
wanted.
We are not bookstores, we are places where people should be able to come
in and learn something as well as find something to enjoy. I do not think I
would ever arrange my library in that fashion. Also, part of our mission as
school media specialists is to teach our students how to do research. If we
change the way we arrange our materials, what example does that give?
>What pitfalls do you see in this arrangement?
We aren't teaching students how to find things in s systematic way. And
that we consider learning to be just like a business. Too many aspects of
life are being commercialized and I hate to think that tradition has no
place in our lives.
>What opportunities might be
>created by re-arranging the library?
The only one I can see is that students would start to feel that the library
was a place just like a bookstore and thus should be able to have coffee or
other drinks, eat, and socialize and just move books around at will. Not a
good outlook .
>How would your patrons react? How
>would this affect the user when he uses other libraries later, or would it?
Mine would probably question why things aren't where they were taught to
look for them. Sure, I get the question: "Where are your books on...", but
they know that once we find a more specific topic, we'll be able to find the
books quickly.
>How would it affect the librarian regarding location of information,
>cataloging, etc.?
It would make it a lot more work to shelve. And you would have to be
continually checking areas, even more than now. It wouldn't be as obvious
when a book is out of place. I think it would tend to be confusing. The
purpose and beauty of an arrangement like DDS is that it is consistent, not
only in this one library, but it carries over to others, also.
>What genres would be used if a bookstore arrangement is
>developed?
I agree with others, it would depend on what your collection has and what
the focus of your library is. I guess, I could do one that would go along
with the curriculum as my guide in arrangements, but a lot of things overlap
and then I would have to decide where it would be more likely to be used.
What subject would take precedence?
>Are there alternatives to this arrangement? Are you doing it
>now? To what level?
I feel that having displays, and highlighting materials is a more effective
way to draw attention to books that students might like or need to use.
Toni Koontz
Media Specialist
St. Charles Preparatory
Columbus, OH
akoontz@cdeducation.org
Carpe Diem
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