Search on SLJ.com ....
Subscribe to SLJ
100 Scope Notes
Inside 100 Scope Notes

Link Du Jour: Does Dewey Work?

July 24, 2011 By 2 Comments

I’ve heard of public libraries doing away with the Dewey Decimal classification system in favor of a “bookstore model” of organizing titles, but never a school library.

School Library Monthly blog highlights one elementary school that is giving it a go. Here are my thoughts on the matter…

Pro:

Patron: Where are all your paranormal romance books?

Me: (Cringe) Right this way!

Con:

Patron: Where are all your books by Jane Yolen?

Me: (Gesturing wildly toward the entire library) Somewhere … in … this … area.

Are you for or against ditching Dewey? Click the image below to read.

(Side note: no spine labels!)

Screen shot 2011 07 24 at 12.09.25 AM 500x201 Link Du Jour: Does Dewey Work?

printfriendly Link Du Jour: Does Dewey Work?email Link Du Jour: Does Dewey Work?twitter Link Du Jour: Does Dewey Work?facebook Link Du Jour: Does Dewey Work?google plus Link Du Jour: Does Dewey Work?tumblr Link Du Jour: Does Dewey Work?reddit Link Du Jour: Does Dewey Work?share save 171 16 Link Du Jour: Does Dewey Work?
Filed Under: Link Du Jour
About Travis Jonker

Travis Jonker is an elementary school librarian in Michigan. He writes reviews (and the occasional article or two) for School Library Journal and is a member of the 2014 Caldecott committee. You can email Travis at scopenotes@gmail.com, or follow him on Twitter: @100scopenotes.

Comments

  1. Vicki Kouchnerkavich says:
    July 25, 2011 at 3:39 pm

    Travis, we are in the middle of switching our Adult Non-fiction section to the BISAC form. We are using spine labels. At this point, we are not considering fiction, which your 2 examples are – it does seem that would be a nightmare.

    Reply
  2. Travis says:
    July 25, 2011 at 3:49 pm

    Thanks for giving some first hand perspective! I’ll have to stop by and check it out.

    Reply

Speak Your Mind

*