tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28278131.post8031314034760442637..comments2024-02-01T12:31:52.518-05:00Comments on Personanondata: Dewey: Hip or Not Hip?MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08121709548793388116noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28278131.post-13290561628763188522007-07-19T16:05:00.000-04:002007-07-19T16:05:00.000-04:00What's wrong with Gilbert taking the initative to ...What's wrong with Gilbert taking the initative to make itself a pilot case for a system different than the Dewey system, the de fact standard? It seems to me that if the Maricopa Public Library System is ready to take all the risks (financial, public relations, etc) to better serve their constituency and contribute to the profession with user studies from an innovative approach, why should anyone else really object on principle? Standards can only be improved or recreated through thoughtful testing, feedback and research--this seems to me to be the very core of modern librarianship as a profession; it's the reason why educational prerequisites for entry into the profession have come to include a masters degree and appropriate research methods courses.<BR/><BR/>If Mr. Courtright's approach is a disaster, then Maricopa County will take appropriate measures to fix the system and go back to the standard Dewey system. He'll be ultimately responsible. But if his experiment turns up some interesting feedback and data, it could jumpstart research that could ultimately benefit the profession.Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03133498384246829011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28278131.post-70279876722888028472007-07-17T11:08:00.000-04:002007-07-17T11:08:00.000-04:00Libraries aren't bookstores. Libraries will be on ...Libraries aren't bookstores. Libraries will be on shaky ground if they attempt to become completely like bookstores. The library community can embrace certain aspects (mainly atmosphere) of bookstores but they can't lose their identity in pursuit of the competition. Instead, libraries need to breath new life into their buildings and into the profession. They need to capitalize on what sets them apart from bookstores by highlighting the many unique and valuable services they provide.<BR/><BR/>I hope that the demise of the Dewey Decimal System is limited to Mr. Courtright's library. Dewey isn't a perfect system of classification. It has its shortcomings. But it's served library users for generations and is vital in today's quest to connect library users to desired content.<BR/><BR/>Read my full response at Detroit Leaning: http://detroitleaning.blogspot.com/2007/07/deweys-not-dead.htmlMatt Churchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00620784499867737571noreply@blogger.com