THE BROWSE METHOD
The Cumberland Public Library is pleased to offer a new classification system for adult and young adult nonfiction sections! The outline is FREE to any library that wishes to ditch Dewey, LC, or anything else for a cataloging system that will make your job easier and bring your patrons back to the stacks!!!
The Browse Method requires no changes to your MARC records-only the call number! Because of this, the Browse Method can be implemented into any consortium or using any ILS.
VERSION 3.0 IS HERE!
See the most recent PowerPoint Melissa gave at the Library 2035 conference presented by Library 2.0 and sponsored by San Jose State University and Skilltype.
Library 2035 conference presentation.pptx
View the article Melissa published in Public Library Quarterly using this link (available for free for the first 50 clicks):
https://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/RrmDf8a4hPRYaVpe9vMd/full?target=10.1080/01616846.2018.1555786
This article discusses:
- The reasons for ditching Dewey (and how the literature and main tenets encourage us to move past Dewey)
- The benefits to the library and the patrons
- How to get the necessary buy-in from your staff, board, and community
- The logistics of making a move like this happen
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES!!!
CATEGORY FLOWCHART: The subjects in order by category.
STAFF INFOGRAPHIC: We used this as an introduction piece for introducing the reorg to staff outside of the reference department.
PATRON POSTER: This poster is displayed throughout our nonfiction section so that patrons know what is happening and why.
If you would like to automatically receive release information, please send an email to melissa@cumberlandlibrary.org with your name, title, library, and phone number.
More Information about the Browse Method
- The method is ready to implement in your library and is completely customizable to meet your community's needs
- You are only changing a call #, so it can be used with any ILS and consortium
- The new call # will begin with a 4-digit finder number. No more decimals, no more having books on the same topic in several sections of the collection, or even the same title on two different places on the same shelf.
- Spine labels will use plain English (or language of your choice) and color coding for patron accessibility. They will feel empowered to browse your collection and feel confident that they will find what they need without having to search out a librarian (which they may not want to do)
- Cut down on shelving time and increase your circs exponentially
- Collection maintenance will be easier and better than ever. When your books are all together on a topic, it is easy to see what you need to add and what needs to go.
- The categories have been defined using the bookstore model, otherwise known as BISAC. Like bookstores, you can customize what works best for your community. Want to feature a section? No problem!
- Best of all, this is a low-cost project. The only upfront costs are staff hours, spine labels, and spine label overlays.
COMING SOON!!!
- More pictures!!!
- An updated recording of the conference presentation
- More resource files
- A link to Melissa’s blog talking more about the process, successes, and realities of taking on a project like this
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Melissa Chiavaroli, Head of Reference
(401) 333-2552 ext. 201