K-3 library organization

[Kimberly Tison <ktison@MSAD71.NET>]

I need corroboration on acceptable practice in how to organize K-3 fiction
section.  I have a general fiction section organized by author's last
name.  I have other sections organized for ease of use by students aged
5-8 according to subject.  For example, I put all the books about dogs on
a shelf labeled "Dogs-Fiction", all the books about cats similarly on a
separate shelf, on through shelves for horses, Caldecotts, easy readers,
ocean stories, birds, farm animals, historical fiction, mysteries.

The books are arranged by author's last name within each separate subject
area.  The general fiction section encompasses books that could not be
categorized clearly by subject.  This is a small collection of under 6,000
books for a population of 370 students.  I have been a children's
librarian for 30 years, 16 of them in a school library.  I find it is much
easier for me to guide students to the particular shelf where all the
fiction books about cats or any other requested subject are located, than
to have a single alphabetically arranged fiction section and to have to
search for subjects in the catalog then find them alphabetically on the
shelves for every student, or even to code the books with corresponding
subject stickers. Kids have a hard enough time deciding which book to
choose, but when faced with one long undivided alphabet I feel that it
would be overwhelming for them and me.    This grade level really can't
use the catalog proficiently enough to be self-directed in a search.  I
have seen other libraries use this same organizational method, but have
had some criticism recently that I am not following acceptable library
procedure.  I disagree and have signed on to the NET after a long absence
knowing that I can depend on all of you to advise me as to what your
opinions are on this matter, and to possibly corroborate my organizational
method as being perfectly valid.  If I am wrong about this I will just
have to switch everything around, but thanks for your able assistance in
any case!
Kim Tison, library media specialist
Park Street School Library Kennebunk, Maine
ktison@msad71.net

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-
All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET  2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL  4) SET LM_NET DIGEST  * Allow for confirmation.
LM_NET Help & Information: http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/
Archive: http://askeric.org/Virtual/Listserv_Archives/LM_NET.shtml
LM_NET Select/EL-Announce: http://www.cuenet.com/archive/el-announce/
LM_NET Supporters: http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/ven.html
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-