[aisle] [EXTERNAL] High School Genrefication Nonfiction

Fri Jan 31 13:47:39 CST 2020

Very good points, Kristine-thank you for sharing! I have organized my fiction by genre but I am considering re-organizing my non-fiction now too!
Megan Flaherty
Library Media Specialist
Westview Hills Middle School

From: AISLE <aisle-bounces at list.railslibraries.info> On Behalf Of Schauff, Kristine via AISLE
Sent: Friday, January 31, 2020 1:39 PM
To: AISLE-Share: Association of Illinois School Library Educators discussion list <aisle at list.railslibraries.info>
Cc: Schauff, Kristine <schauffk at rfhs301.org>
Subject: Re: [aisle] [*EXTERNAL*] High School Genrefication Nonfiction

Ok, this was a long time coming for me.  I'm old and I used to argue strongly that ditching Dewey was so wrong.  I've worked with Dewey in public libraries and schools (including the GSLIS library at the U of I) for way too many years to admit.  Guess who's wrong?  Me.  For my community and patrons--I am now absolutely convinced that knowing pets live in 636 whatever is not a life skill.  There's not a horse, pup or kitty loving person that knows this-- if there are, I want to give 'em a hug--because they learned another language just to find their books!  They may know where their favorites are geographically in the library but NOT the number.  If the library had a change of layout, they'd be lost.  So, faced with specific book report (yes, it still happens here) assignments that encompass many different Dewey numbers (government assignment that examines how what does government does or not--affects its citizens).  Talk about ping-ponging around the room.  300s, 900s, 600s, etc.  It is an intentionally wide scope assignment to allow students to find something that interests them.  I have pulled books about drugs and the legal consequences of using them together.  I have alphabetized the countries.  I've added genre terms to the top of call numbers and shortened Dewey.  Sports are all 796 but with the specific sport at the top.  Kids ARE reading more nonfiction because they can find it (keeping all bios together means they had to wade through actresses and actors and authors, and presidents to find their sports figure-- and I weeded like crazy.  In biography collection, I found books on Holocaust survivors that we don't know by name-- but we have their story (really bad cataloging--whole other story).  Another book report for a class.  Finding enough books on Holocaust survivors for 3 sections of history students... I'm searching for every title I can find.  Relabeling them to a common location means next year will be a bigger win.  Having a gold star of David on the shelf--big tip-off.  Dewey is a genre-based system.  No doubt.  Use it as a starting place.  I haven't ditched it, but Dewey looks very different.  History still lives in 900s.  Lit is in 800, etc.  One doesn't have to throw the baby out with the bathwater-- but you can change some things up.  My system is so not perfect.  I argue with myself.  Then I talk to my students and teachers.  They help a lot!  I'm only partially through my collection but the kids like what they see done so far.

If your community and patrons would not do better with an altered call number--don't mess with your success!  My folks weren't successful searching on their own.  I started to pay attention to students who came in to find a book.  It was not good.  They wandered.  They were frustrated.  So I changed things--after awhile.  If anyone is interested I can share specifics.  I use a google sheet to keep my Dewey version straight as I relabel books.  Do what helps your students and teachers use the collection.

Kristine Schauff, Media Specialist

Rock Falls High School
101 - 12th Ave.
Rock Falls, IL 61071
815-625-3886 x248
schauffk at rfhs301.org<mailto:schauffk at rfhs301.org>
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I'm reading:
 [https://ls2content2.tlcdelivers.com/tlccontent?customerid=921086&appid=ls2pac&requesttype=BOOKJACKET-MD&Isbn=1250105714&Isbn=9781250105714&Isbn=9781250105721&Isbn=1250105722]

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On Fri, Jan 31, 2020 at 12:27 PM Wagoner, Benjamin via AISLE <aisle at list.railslibraries.info<mailto:aisle at list.railslibraries.info>> wrote:
We are debating in our district whether or not to genrefy non-fiction.  Has anyone done that?  It does seem to already be genrefied, but it if will increase circulation, I'm willing to do it.

Thanks!

--

[https://docs.google.com/uc?export=download&id=18XxlNUtc1JFUr5w6pQMRWMzKX1rPe61X&revid=0ByUq139SZV-aeEM4c1pxWnJ5d3JrTVlBdzBCYVlQc0tLeGZvPQ]

Ben Wagoner

  LRC Director/Media Specialist

St. Charles North High School

  255 Red Gate Road, St. Charles, IL

Currently reading: Nyxia by Scott Reintgen

St. Charles CUSD 303<http://district.d303.org/>

331.228.6324

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