Rumors are swirling at our local library about a coming change in how libraries are arranged. Some nonacademic libraries are moving to what is called a bookstore model. What this means is that books are not arranged in typical library fashion according to a dewey classification. I'm not sure how this will impact fiction, as those books are in alpha order, but for nonfiction, this will be a major change.
My problem with this trend is it does nothing to teach younger students how to use an academic library. Librarians already fight the battle of lazy patrons in local libraries. Once those patrons move on to college, their laziness will morph into ignorance.
What will this mean for library organization? Will nonfiction books creep into the fiction section? Will clear distinctions start to blur?
I'm guessing the motivation behind this rethinking of public libraries is the pandering to our shopping culture. Folks know how to shop in Barnes and Noble. They don't know how to find a 'how to draw' book in the nonfiction stacks because they don't or won't use the computer catalog. The catalog will become a dinosaur. What sort of road map will patrons use?
For me, this is yet again, a dumbing down of our society.
2 comments:
Wonder how many people don't even use the library anymore? I think you can get a lot of info on the Internet today.
Actually, the local library has between 250-300 cards used a day....on a slow day.
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