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I have been watching this topic with interest for some time now. I am a big Dewey supporter but not because I believe that Dewey is the end all be all. I just hate reinventing the wheel. After over 30 years of work as a school library media specialist I know how long it can take to make the most minor changes in cataloging. My high school library has been working for over 5 years to change from Cutter author numbers to three author letter designations. We are not close to finished and the time spent making such changes takes time away from students. I am not sure, however, that there is a real problem. Dewey numbers can be a mystery to patrons but there is really no need for them to be. Dewey numbers organize materials by topic. We just need to provide signage that puts that information into English. Patrons wishing to browse by topic should be able to find it by Dewey using the catalog or by topic within the stacks by following the signage posted. 398 or a sign designating "Folklore and Fairytales" should guide the patron to the same place. No big deal. For some reason there seems to be some resistance to using signage to help patrons in some libraries. Part of that may simply be that librarians are comfortable with the Dewey system and just forget that Dewey numbers are not always user friendly. Another problem is space. Libraries have stacks, not because it is the ideal way to display books but because they allow the storage of many more items within a limited area. My grade school library is currently forced to store as many as 75-85 items on nearly every shelf. (Thank heaven elementary books are thin!) There is no place for displays within our stacks and very little anywhere else. Even finding places for signage is a problem. If I had unlimited space I would spread the collection out, use shelves to display signage and display more books front cover out to attract browsers to their favorite subjects. I would continue to use the Dewey Decimal System to organize the collection, however. It works. May be we should talk about an Enhance Dewey Decimal System...libraries organized by Dewey with extensive signage by topics in the stacks. Wow what a brave NEW concept! ;^) Paula Bainter Ellsworth High School/Grade School Ellsworth, Kansas Want good things to happen? Do good things. "We are confronted with insurmountable opportunities." -Pogo _______________________________________________ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! -------------------------------------------------------------------- Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law. You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book. 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://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/ * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/ * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html --------------------------------------------------------------------