so this library system decides to drop dewey. not just one library, a system of different branches. good idea? bad? well, it doesn't suck as much as "let's put in a coffee shop" IMO.
Rangeview Library District, CO, First System To Fully Drop Dewey - 6/5/2009 - Library Journal(lazy linkage, i know. wonder if it even works. tired. you're informationally literate, so you can crossref that info. or check my FB page, as that's where i threw it up first.)
so this district in CO goes with something called BISAC, which i need to look up. used in bookstores, maybe not suitable for the library. but--
fuckheads on wall street notwithstanding, the economy will not be getting better all that soon. and for public libraries that need funding, that means justifying one's existence to the taxpayers. (n.b., i'm coming from NJ; things may be different in your state) and what else shows use better than circ figures?
now, i'm no twopointohpian, but sometimes the system needs to change. (LC system, i'm looking at you) dewey may be clunky at times, and is usually altered or ignored in one way or another. grisham or other popular fiction actually in the 800's? or biographies filed by dewey? probably not. if your library's patrons browse more than search for specific texts (bestsellers do not count--reserves mean they won't make it to the shelves) then maybe some sections could be grouped in a general fashion like "self help" or "business advice" or "ridiculous political persuasion advice" (oops, but you get my drift). throw those titles up front, near the new releases. everything else can get a proper dewey number.
starting to ramble, so i'll leave that intro out there. thoughts?
(crossposted to the usual suspect outlets LOL)
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