This document summarizes a panel discussion on moving beyond the Dewey Decimal System. The panelists discussed their experiences transitioning to word-based subject classifications at various libraries. They shed Dewey numbers for topics like cooking, home, and beauty. Challenges included designing labels and taxonomies. Analysis after going Dewey-free showed improved circulation and patron satisfaction. Other libraries have adopted subject-based or hybrid systems.
1. DEWEY & BEYOND: A PANEL DISCUSSION
LACONI RASS
September 17, 2010
Melissa Rice
Head of Adult Services
Frankfort Public Library District
www.deweyfree.com
2. DEWEY & BEYOND: A PANEL DISCUSSION
Bleue Benton
Oak Park Public Library
Michael Geeraedts
Highland Park Public Library
3. 2005 & 2006
Service & space needs assessment study
New concepts & library services
oLondon’s Idea Store
oDelft’s DOK Library
oRichmond’s Ironwood Branch
Remodeled Youth Services shelving
20. Spine Labels
How many lines or levels?
How much is too much information?
Font style, color, and size?
Designing a label template
o SUBJECT
o CATEGORY
o Author
24. Taxonomy
Subject Collection Guide
Project coordinators develop the skeleton
Monthly committee meeting
Main taxonomy document is open to everyone
working on the project
25. Cooking
Deconstructed
No “Ethnic” OR “Courses & Dishes” categories
AFRICAN
AMERICAN
APPETIZERS
ASIAN
BEVERAGES
26. Home
APPLIANCES
BUILDING
CLEANING
CONSUMER
DECORATING
o BASEMENT
o BATHROOM
o BEDROOM
27. Beauty
BODY ART
GENERAL
HAIR
MAKE-UP
SKIN
32. Phase 4: Analysis
We will evaluate the project’s success:
• Circulation Statistics
• Surveys
• Patron comments
• Subject Collection Review
This analysis will tell us if we need to alter any of the
following:
• Signs
• Taxonomies
• Layout
34. Subject Based, Dewey Free
Maricopa County Library District, AZ
Seward Memorial Library, Seward, NE
Darien Public Library, Darien, CT
Rangeview Library District, Adams County, CO
Indian Prairie Public Library, Darien, IL
35. Mashup: Subject + Dewey
Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, Topeka,
KS
Delta Township District Library, Lansing, MI
Gail Borden District Library, Rakow Branch, Elgin,
IL
36. Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics by Ina Garten
Subject: Frankfort Public Library
Dewey: SWAN District
641.5 GARTEN COOKING GENERAL Garten
641.5 GAR
Mashup: Delta Township District Subject: Maricopa County Library
Library, Lansing, MI District, AZ
FOOD 641.5 COOKING
Mashup: Gail Borden Public Library Subject: Rangeview Library District,
District, Rakow Branch CO
COOKING AND COOKING
ENTERTAINING 641.5 Garten
37. Italian Grill by Mario Batali
Subject: Frankfort Public Library
Dewey: SWAN District
641.5 BATALI COOKING ITALIAN Batali
641.5784 BATALI
Mashup: Delta Township District Subject: Maricopa County Library
Library, Lansing, MI District, AZ
FOOD 641.5784 COOKING INTL
Subject: Ridgeview Library District,
Mashup: Gail Borden Library District CO
COOKING AND ENTERTAINING COOKING INTNTL ITALIAN
641.5784 Batali
COOKING INTNTL
38. FRANKFORT PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT
Melissa Rice
Head of Adult Services
mrice@frankfortlibrary.org
815.534.6173
frankfortlibrary.org
deweyfree.com