Death to the Dewey Decimal System

[lAeFeek]

I don't think it's a plausible concept to just 'get rid of' the DDC immediately as Dewey works great when intergrated with other classification schemes. After our chinks in our metadata systems get ironed out, new ways of thinking will emerge, but until then, we should stay hybrid.

Regarding Arizona Library, it is an interesting move and good on them for trialling a new way of doing things! I think libraries are best waiting for the results of these experiments before trialling their own.

[TheScarlit]

what the hell is the dewey decimal system patrick wow is it funner there than lincoln you look bord!! lol

[squid262]

@TheScarlit

Punctuation.

[JillyShoes]

On the other side of that, there's no harm in moving your books around so patrons can find them easier. No one says all non-fiction has to be grouped together in one lump sum just cause they have the Dewey number on the spine. But, just cause you want to reorganize your collection doesn't mean you have to rid yourself of a system that has more than one practical application.

(Part 2)

[JillyShoes]

I think it's a lot more detailed than just a patron not finding a book or having to replace a sticker. The Dewey system creates specific categories for catalogers. Catalogs are used for more than just patrons searching. It's used to identify records in your ILS, it's used to find a specific subject tag, and it's used as a means of grouping like items to an exact topic. Those things are sacrificed if you do away with a specific system of categorizing.

(Part 1)

[varialecto]

I am not a librarian but I intend to become one in the future. I also work at a library (part-time). Personally, I don't like the idea because decimal system makes it so much easier to find a book. It makes our (part-timers) life a lot easier too. I wish bookstores would also use decimal system. Everytime I walk into a bookstore I have to ask the sales people to help me locate a book.

[pcsweeneydotcom]

Yeah and I think it probably does (but I'm a librarian so my views are probably skewed).  My point here was mostly that I applaud libraries for taking "risks" when in reality there won't be such a significant consequence. If it doesn't work, they'll just put the books back. :) Or if it does work better then we'll have learned a way to serve our patrons better.