Bookstore divisions or Dewey August 1, 2008
Posted by Debbie Stafford in : Hot Topics , trackbackThis topic was addressed on this blog by Shonda Brisco (“Dewey” Need Dewey? June 1, 2007). Yesterday I was looking for a title at my local bookstore and my experience made me revisit this issue.
First, I found a mystery paperback at the library and was intrigued to find the first book of the series. The library did not own it. Later I was at the book store and decided to see if they had it. I knew enough about the organization of the fiction section to know that I needed to find the mystery section and I knew the mystery section was alphabetical by author. The problem was that I didn’t remember the author and wasn’t sure I had the correct title. So, I went looking for a “card catalog”. No luck. All the clerks were busy at the counter. I did get to ask an employee who looked it up for me. I asked whey they didn’t have a “card catalog” and her answer was that we could always ask a store employee.
Now, both the book store and the library I visited had the books in the fiction, mystery section. Both had staff members who could help me if I had asked. But at the library I could use the tools to find out my question for myself.
So my questions/thoughts are;
I knew the “system” in both cases but knowing the system didn’t help without the tools to help myself. In both cases I could have asked for help but one let me help myself, much more satisfying at last to me.
If a school or public library wants to do away with Dewey as a system and replace with some other system, they really do still need a tool to find where the books are. It also still helps if people know what the system is, Dewey or bookstore.
I must admit, other than fiction I often wander the bookstore looking for the section I want. I don’t “understand” the system of non -fiction.
Anyway, my musings on a hot August afternoon.
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