The Dewey Dilemma

Why "Dewey or Don't We" Matters in School Libraries

One of the most important things a library does for its users is provide easy access to items in the collection. This depends on a system of organization that makes sense and is understood by the users. In school libraries where students are developing their recreational reading and their research habits, this logical organization is especially vital. Students, like most people, will gravitate to the information that is found most easily-- whether it's the best information or not. When students easily can find quality information and materials in school libraries, they will use it. This will result in increased user satisfaction and, in turn, lead to increased ciruculation. Making the collection as accessible as possible is paramount in school libraries.

History of the Dewey-less System

DDC isn't the only classification system around. The Library of Congress Classification (LCC) has been around since the early 1900's and uses some of the same principles of categorization as Dewey, but has its own complex alphanumerical call number. These two systems dominated the organization of libraries throughout the 20th century. In 2007, Arizona's Maricopa County Library System caught everyone's attention with its controversial move to open a new branch sans Dewey. Then, in 2009, the Rangeview Library District in Colorado converted its entire system to be Dewey-less and rebranded itself as Anythink Libraries. Both Maricopa and Anythink based their classifcations on the BISAC subject headings used in the publishing industry. These public libraries' use of a book store browsing model started a national conversation about the organization, cataloging, and meeting users' informational needs in non-traditional ways. Soon, schools were moving away from Dewey as well. Red Hook Elementary School in Colorado opened in 2011 with its own word based classification system to replace Dewey's numerical system. Articles in professional publications like Library Journal, Knowledge Quest, and School Library Journal, presentations at ALA conferences, Twitter discussions, and countless blogs kept the debate alive. Public and school libraries have embraced Dewey-less systems to varying degrees; some have created their own classification schedules for their entire collections while others have genrefied fiction and added signage for users. The issue is far from resolved, but more and more data and insights are available from the libraries that have already transitioned, offering those libraries thinking about ditching Dewey a wealth of ideas and experiences to consider.

Deciding on Dewey's Demise in Your Library

Moving away from Dewey isn't a simple matter of opinion and it isn't for everyone or for every library. This decision requires careful examination of your library's users and their usage. Detailed considerations about Dewey or Don't We are discussed here. It is important to recognize that no one system of classification is perfect. The key is to find what works best for your library's students, apply the system, and then use it consistently so materials are as accessible as possible.

What Else You Won't Find in Today's Library

For those who fear Dewey's death, here's a quick look at some former library standbys that have gone bye-bye:

Vertical files
Card catalog drawers
Librarians who only Shhhhh!!!
Date stamps in the backs of books
Only carrying print materials

These ideas and others have come and gone, making way for new possibilities and means of meeting users' needs. Losing Dewey might just open up something new and better for students using the library.

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History of the Dewey Decimal Classification System

Melvil Dewey, a pioneer in the field of library science, developed the Dewey Decimal Classification in 1876. This was the first standardized classification system developed for libraries and it caught on quickly throughout the United States and is currently the most widely used classification schema in the world. In 1988, the DDC was acquired by OCLC. The DDC is based on the idea of 10 broad hierarchial classes broken down into multiple subdivisions which are represented as a number. Whole numbers represent the broad categories and numbers after the decimal point represent the subcategories. The Dewey subject headings have been revised 23 times to reflect a growing multicultural world and the influence of technology. 025.431: The Dewey Blog, produced by members of the Dewey editorial team, is a great source for keeping track of developments with the DDC. While Dewey's classification supremacy might be in question, its continued use is not.

AASL's Position

The AASL currently doesn't have a definitive position on which classification system is best and doesn't recommend one method over another. The professional organization strives to be an open forum for discussion and research. At its core, AASL wants students to have convenient access to a wide variety of materials, librarians to share and learn from each other, and school libraries to meet the unique needs of their students.

Exploring Both Sides

While the issue of shelving Dewey has created great debate and each side has its supporters, the issue clearly isn't black and white. Examine the pros and cons of each side:

SHELVING

DEWEY?