BISAC 

Many libraries that have ditched Dewey are using BISAC subject headings to meet their organizational needs.  BISAC, short for Book Industry Standards and Communication, was developed by Book Industry Study Group (BISG) as a way to classify both print and digital media.  Although it began as a system for publishers and bookstores to use for topical searching databases and subject based displays, many public and school libraries have embraced it as an alternative to Dewey.  BISAC consists of 52 subject areas, each with detailed descriptors that represent subtopics for materials.  These descriptors are frequently used as the spine labels in Deweyless collections.  Most school libraries use a locally customized version of BISAC that fits their particular needs and interests.  For example, the Anythink Libraries in Colorado use a version they termed Wordthink. The browsing that is encouraged by BISAC's subject matter organization has translated into increased circulation for these post-Dewey libraries.  

 

Additional BISAC Information:

BISAC Subject Headings 2013

A New Way to Organize With the Patron in Mind presentation by Deb Hoadley, Massachusetts Library System

Killing Dewey presentation by Jezmynne Dene , Portneuf District Library

 

 

 

Metis

Metis is another organizational alternative to DDC.  It was developed by four librarians at the Ethical Culture School in New York as a subject based system of categorization to empower children to successfully navigate the library to meet their needs.  They looked at how children search for information to determine the structure.  Metis contains 26 broad categories for organization.  Many public library children's areas and elementary schools have migrated to Metis and started using both the picture-based subject labels and the word-based subject labels for their books.  Mackin Publishing provides shelf-ready materials with Metis (and other non-traditional categorization).  Libraries using Metis have also reported increased circulation. 

 

Additional Metis Information:  

Metis Categories

Thatcher Brook Primary School- More about Metis

Musings on Metis- Blog by Ethical Culture School 

Are We Ready to Leave Dewey Behind? by Laura Guest in The Puffin, The Newsletter of the Alaska Association

     of School Librarians

​I Want a Truck Book presentation by Metis Innovations