Library geek moment

[daemonluna]

So, yeah. I may have told the kids' department at the library today that we'll be shelving the picture books based on the colour of the spine from now on. It went something like this:

Subject: New shelving arrangments for picture books

Hi everyone,

We are going to be taking part in an experimental pilot project happening nation-wide!

Starting today, our picture books are going to be shelved by colour of spine rather than author’s last name, because this is the way that many of our library users search for the books, and let’s face it, no one reads the call numbers anyhow. Exact location will be determined by spectrum analysis, and we will be printing all new spine labels to better determine where the book fits on the spectrum. There may have to be some fine-tuning of location as books age and the spine fades, but we will deal with that problem as it comes up. There will be some retraining for the pages, and in the future, anyone with a fine arts background will strongly be considered for the positions.

I am also currently investigating another shelving configuration for the Juv Fiction, placing the books intended for the youngest readers on the bottom shelves, and the books with the most difficult reading level, mature content, etc on the highest shelves. However, [Facilities In Charge Guy] tells me we may not have enough shelving in storage to create the multiple levels we would need for our collection, so we may have to wait to implement this one.

We are also exploring adding some new life to the pond—either some miniature squid, or possibly a very small octopus.

And finally, happy April Fool’s Day! Nothing will be reshelved and sadly, I do not think squid or octopi would do well in our fish pond.

Next year, I need an inflatable octopus for the pond...

Comments

[dine.livejournal.com]

you know, this scheme actually makes an insane sort of sense! i hope everyone appreciated your memo - it sure made me grin broadly

[daemonluna.livejournal.com]

*g* Most everyone did, I think. I know I had several people almost-convinced.

[zulu.livejournal.com]

Hee! Awesome! I was thinking, "The kids will love that. Colours are pretty!"

[daemonluna.livejournal.com]

Oh, totally. *g* It would have been very pretty. And would make more sense than the college students who want all the picture books arranged by subject just to make their assignment easier. ("Where's your section of gardening books for three year olds?")