This document provides instructions for reorganizing a library collection. It discusses categorizing non-fiction books into subject sections like animals and sports. Biographies are separated by what made them famous. Fiction is divided by genre. Detailed steps are given for moving books, updating call numbers in the catalog, and labeling shelves. Useful resources for signage and inspiration from other libraries that reorganized are also shared. The goal is to make the collection more accessible to students by putting related materials together.

1. Things to remember:
● When you in the middle of the madness it's for the students. You are making the library
more accessible.
● It's takes time! I worked on it starting in May and then throughout the summer.
● Have a plan!
Non­Fiction
I started with non­fiction because I knew it was going to take me the most amount of time. I
made a list of the sections (neighborhoods) that I knew I wanted such as military, animals,
sports, etc. I started making stacks as I went through each book on the shelves. I did major
weeding at the same time. It was a huge mess with stacks everywhere. Once I had made
stacks I went through and combined stacks as necessary. I put poetry books about space with
space. My thinking behind this, the student who is reading about space my never go to the poetry
section but is more likely to get the poetry book off the space shelf. I then decided on the names
of each section. See that list . I then starting moving books on shelves (after I dusted all of the
shelves). I tried to put the popular section in prime locations and not too close together. I did have
to shift some sections around to make sure they fit. Start with your largest sections first such as
animals. Once I was satisfied with my shelves I started labeling. The next step takes forever! I
then labeled each shelf with the words and stickers. I then went in Destiny to add the section
(neighborhood) to the call number.
● Catalog Tab
● Update Copies
● Batch Update
● Change Call Number Prefix to (enter the section. example: Space)
● Update all copies in barcode list
● Update
At the end of each shelf I put a sign with the sections on that aisle.

2. Biographies
For my biography section I separated them by what made them famous or what they are
important for. Then followed the same steps as listed under Non­Fiction.
Fiction
This was a lengthy process for me because I have only been a reader for about seven years,
taught math, and I’ve only been in the library for two years. So, I had to spend a lot time on
Titlewave and other websites to determine genre. I went through each book on the shelf and
looked on websites then made a document of my list. I put the genres in alphabetical order
down the shelves. I then separated the books on shelves and in the floor in the general location.
Next I started putting books on the shelves starting with Sports Fiction. Once I was satisfied with
my shelves I started labeling. The next step takes forever! I then labeled each shelf with the
words and stickers. I then went in Destiny to add the section (neighborhood) to the call number.
See directions above.
Useful information:
Lesson learned...Use book tape instead of label protectors. Here is what is used.
http://www.demco.com/goto?PRD16740500
Non­fiction and Biographies shelf signs.
http://www.demco.com/goto?BLS181672&ALL0000&es=20140219145028101884

3. This is the place that I found the signage in the picture above.
http://www.mightylittlelibrarian.com/?p=582
A useful website of how they ditched the Dewey.
http://vanmeterlibraryvoice.blogspot.fr/2012/08/we­spiced­up­shelvesand­ditched­dewey.html
I hope I thought of everything, but please email or call if you have questions.