Catalog It! & More!

As I dive into the world of cataloguing the most important thing I've learned is that I have a lot to learn! Reading (or more like skimming) Catalog It! solidified my genrefying journey. In the school library space with 21st century digital citizens as patrons our "marketing" leans heavily to genrefication. Knowledge of the DDS is important and may work well in portions of my school library. Genrefication in the middle school library space feels best to support and promote middle schoolers to read. 

For personal future reference:

Genrifying and using the Dewey Decimal Classification system are two different approaches to organizing library collections.

1. Genrifying: This involves organizing library materials based on genres or themes rather than using a numerical classification system like Dewey Decimal. For example, fiction books may be categorized into genres such as mystery, fantasy, science fiction, romance, etc., while non-fiction books may be grouped by topics like history, science, biography, etc. Genrifying aims to make it easier for users to find books based on their interests and reading preferences, especially in public and school libraries where patrons may not be familiar with Dewey Decimal numbers.

2. Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC): Developed by Melvil Dewey, this system categorizes library materials into 10 main classes, each with divisions and subdivisions based on subject areas. It is widely used in libraries worldwide, particularly in academic and research libraries. For example, books on history may be assigned numbers in the 900s, with further subdivisions like 940 for European history, 950 for Asian history, and so on. Dewey Decimal organizes materials based on their subject matter, making it useful for detailed classification and retrieval of a wide range of topics.

Choosing between genrifying and using Dewey Decimal depends on factors such as the type of library, user preferences, ease of navigation, and the library's collection focus. Some libraries may even use a combination of both approaches to cater to different user needs and enhance access to library materials.

chatGPT prompt: genrifying vs dewey decimal

Works Cited

Kaplan, Allison G. Catalog It! : A Guide to Cataloging School Library Materials. Santa Barbara, California, Libraries Unlimited, 2016.