​SHELVING
DEWEY?
Life after Dewey? Discover what's involved when deciding to go Dewey-less. Look at both sides of the debate, think about users' needs, discover other classification possibilities, and explore libraries that have ditched Dewey.
THE NAY-SAYERS: DON'T KILL DEWEY
CONS OF REORGANIZATION:
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Most alternative forms of reclassification not hierarchial
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Staff time involved to reshelve and relabel materials
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Changes in the OPAC are difficult and time consuming
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Time spent recataloging the collection is time not spent teaching students
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Lack of consistency in subject headings and genres between libraries
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Many books fit in multiple genres or cover multiple subjects
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Added expense of additional signage
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Students who are not taught Dewey in elementary or middle school are at a disadvantage later
PROS OF DEWEY:
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Consistency within districts from kindegarten through 12th grade
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Consistency between various libraries, including school, public and academic
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Revisions made to continue to meet users' needs
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Hierachial order within categories
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Most academic libraries use Dewey
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Allows for very specific location of materials
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Libraries are not the same as bookstores and shouldn't try to be the same
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Language isn't a barrier with numerical system
