Library location can affect a book’s visibility

During class discussion this week for LIS 5250, one of the ideas that came up was books that formerly sat unused on a shelf suddenly being checked out by students. One thing I took to heart when reading the CREW manual was the idea that it was acceptable to move books to a different (but still relevant) location that got better visibility.

LIS 5100 : Labeling systems for books

During class discussion this week, a classmate brought up the experience of having few options for reading while in school because she was an advanced reader who was required to read books that were “at her reading level.” As a youth librarian, I don’t want to be in the position where I have to deny a child a book that “speaks” to them because a rating system has determined it “too easy” for them to read.

‘Cataloging Correctly for Kids’

Highlighted among books and resources on my professional shelf: Cataloging Correctly for Kids, An Introduction to the Tools by Sheila S. Intner, Joanna F. Fountain, and Jean Weihs (American Library Association, 2011).

I took a course in cataloging as part of my pursuit of a library degree, and, while it offered a good foundation for my eventual work in a library, I felt that there was more to learn — particularly in the realm of working with records in an online catalog. Add in, too, my wish to learn those practices that are especially helpful to children, and it was clear to me that reading this book was essential to my professional development.

‘Shelfie’ for National Booklovers’ Day

In honor of National Booklovers’ Day on Aug. 9, 2018, Sonoma County Library​ asked people to post “shelfies,” that is, pictures of their bookshelves. Here’s a section from my family’s home library (which I organize according to the Dewey Decimal System). What else is Dewey good for? I also use the classification with my blog-post subject tags.

‘DDC 22’ among books on my professional bookshelf

Books on my Goodreads “Currently Reading” shelf include titles that are essential resources for my vocation as librarian. Among them: DDC 22 (OCLC, 2003).

Under the Dewey Decimal System (DDC), informational books are grouped in order according to the number assigned to them. This consistent application means that, once you know the Dewey number for a subject you are interested in, you can easily find books on the shelves of any library that arranges materials by this system.

DDC 22 is the 22nd edition of the classification system, originally authored by Melvil Dewey.

The DDC is under continual revision by a committee of editors under the OCLC, a global library cooperative, and at the time I purchased my four-volume set, the OCLC had recently published its 23rd edition. Well, being on a budget, I couldn’t justify a purchase of several hundred dollars, but a used set of DDC 22 was thankfully within my reach. It lists Dewey Decimal classifications numerically and also provides an index to quickly look up specific subjects.

Self-checkout for privacy at Sonoma County Library

Source: Buzzfeed News, via Tumblr user ‘kassysgalaxyyy’

Having recently used self-checkout at Sonoma County Library, it seemed a good time to re-share this sign, promoting self-checkout options at the Sacramento Public Library. ​

For Bellview science fair: pay a visit to ‘507’ in library

In Bellview library, teacher-librarian Matt Damon has been reviewing the Dewey Decimal classification system for shelving “informational” books: in order numerically, starting with 000 and continuing to 999. Each number corresponds to a subject, with similar subjects grouped in categories.

Estudiando español para trabajo en biblioteca

(En español / In Spanish)
Estoy estudiando español con Pimsleur y Duolingo. Entiendo y hablo un poco, y estoy investigando expresiones en español para trabajar en una biblioteca. Número de clasificación en el sistema Dewey: 463. En medios sociales: #EnEspanol

(In English / En inglés)
I am studying Spanish with Pimsleur and Duolingo. I understand and speak a little, and am investigating expressions in Spanish for working in a library. Classification number in Dewey system: 463. On social media: #EnEspanol

Dewey classifications govern books and blog

As of two years today ... my family’s home library has been classified and arranged according to the Dewey Decimal System, with each book assigned a number based upon the book’s subject (or by genre and era in the case of the 800s, literature).

Shown here, books from my library science courses, arranged in order numerically.

Since then, of course, I’ve extended this classification to subject-tagging on my blog. It seemed thematically appropriate, with my emphasis on librarianship, and was a natural progression from organizing books in numerical order by subject.

Commingled books, the Dewey way

In an online group, someone posted a link to an essay by Alexander Chee, which discusses combining — or not combining — bookshelves as part of living as a family. I used the Dewey Decimal subject classification system to combine and organize our books. As a result, many of the issues about commingling books — of one partner’s books isolated in a “cell” or books given greater or lesser prominence — are not really an issue when their order is determined by a numerical system.

Blog posts classified with Dewey numbering

This week I’ve been researching Dewey Decimal classifications for the subject tags in my blog. It seemed thematically appropriate, with my emphasis on librarianship, and is a natural progression from organizing my own books in numerical order by subject.

Teen self-help with self-checkout for privacy

Credit: aphroditzy on Tumblr

With this awesome sign created by library supervisor Justin Azevedo, the Sacramento Public Library points teens in the direction of sensitive information that they may be too embarrassed or afraid to ask an adult to help them locate. The sign reminds teens about self-checkout to help protect their privacy.

As Azevedo told Buzzfeed News, “I would notice how popular teen books on these topics were, but how rare actual questions about them from teen library patrons were. Most of the topics would be embarrassing to ask about, but some of them could threaten their privacy or even safety if asked in front of people or discovered by parents in a search engine history.”

Because the Dewey numbering system is a subject classification, many of these topics will likely have their counterparts in the same order in our Jackson County libraries — and our teens, too, can access them in privacy through self-checkout machines. (The photo was first posted by Tumblr user aphroditzy and Buzzfeed News elected to share a reblog by user kassysgalaxyyy).

Roller-derby librarians!

These librarians aren’t on the usual sort of “wheels” that I showcase, but I couldn’t resist passing along an article from the Arizona Daily Star, which proclaimed that “Librarians become new selves when not between shelves.”

Library services to children: Certificate of specialization

Certificate of Specialization in Library Services to Children
from Cynthia M. Parkhill

My certificate of specialization in library services to children arrived from Cuesta College this week. With my Associate’s degree in Library and Information Technology, it represents an official completion to my library coursework.

‘Informational’ materials in Bellview library

I took down the “Non-fiction” directional signs today in Bellview Elementary School library. Where they’d originally designated Dewey Decimal System number ranges for materials shelved by subject, I put new signs that use the word “Informational.” With students being taught to identify and read “informational” text, I felt it was important that we use consistent language when communicating these concepts.

My family’s books, organized by Dewey system

Like living in a library: My project this week was to label and then shelve my family’s books in order according to the Dewey Decimal system of classification, with each book assigned a number based upon the book’s subject. Shown here, the books for my library studies are arranged in order numerically.

‘The World’s Strongest Librarian’ by Josh Hanagarne

My inclination to enjoy reading The World’s Strongest Librarian by Josh Hanagarne began with the table of contents. Each chapter’s list of subject headings includes their classifications in the Dewey Decimal System.

Hanagarne is a librarian in Salt Lake City, Utah. He’s also a weightlifter who embarked on his regime in an effort to manage Tourette Syndrome.

Hanagarne writes with an engaging, personable style and with an unabashed love for books and libraries. He shares with candor his experience with Tourette’s, his struggles related to continuing his faith within the LDS Church and his efforts with wife Janette to start a family.

Personal development: Recommended books

The Personal Growth and Business Development Book Club that Jonathan and I are involved in, will meet in early July to decide what book the group ought to read next. With one exception, all of the selections on my recommendation list are available through our Jackson County libraries. I’ve listed them in the order they are shelved according to the Dewey classification system and have also noted their availability through Overdrive/Library2Go.

I’m guilty of breaking this library rule

SLIS ‘Do Not Reshelve’ Sign by LibraryKitty on Flickr
Licensed for use under Creative Commons

What can I say? Among specific rules enforced in real libraries, I’m guilty of reshelving books that I’ve removed from nonfiction shelves. Granted, shelving is a regular part of my day at Bellview Elementary School library but, let us say, I am guilty of “extracurricular” shelving as well.

Originally posted by LibraryKitty on Flickr, the photo documents library signage at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Library and Information Science Library. It and other photos documenting specific library rules were curated by John Brandon for MentalFloss.com.

Graphic novels in Bellview Elementary School library

Updated photo, taken March 20, 2014

From a distributor, many graphic novels in the Bellview Elementary School library come pre-labeled for shelving according to Dewey classification (741.5) on the non-fiction shelf. But given high interest in graphic novels among Bellview library users, teacher-librarian Lauren Hall and I are shelving them in a higher-profile area.

Among selections written about here, the Bellview collection includes Hereville by Barry Deutsch, Calamity Jack by Shannon and Dean Hale and graphic-format nonfiction.

Other titles in the Bellview collection include the Amulet series by Kazu Kibuishi, Bone by Jeff Smith and D.C. Comics super-hero adventures. Some selections have been honored as nominees for the Oregon Reader’s Choice Awards. There’s a wide variety of subjects and perspectives addressed in these graphic-format books.