Bookstore Style Categories

In 2008, the library implemented bookstore style categories in its adult nonfiction section. Former Director, Susan Reckhow devised a hybrid system which continues to employ Dewey call numbers within subject categories. Some examples of categories include: Health and Exercise, Careers and Employment, Math and Science, and True Crime.

Over the years, it was determined that many of our patrons were browsers and that they would benefit by having like books in the same area. For instance, in the Dewey Decimal Classification system, books dealing with careers might have the call number 331.7 and books on résumés or cover letters might have the call number 650.14. In that system, similar books would be on completely different shelves and in other parts of the library. In our new bookstore style system, they are now together.

Currently, a patron using the electronic catalog will need to write down or remember the Dewey call number and the category shelf location to retrieve a book. Categories are listed on the ends of each book stack in the adult nonfiction section.

For more information on our bookstore style categories, please check out our new YouTube video:

Library Thing

Library Thing has been around for a while, but is still a great website. Once you create an account, you can keep track of books that you read, add tags and then share your collection with others that may have similar interests.

Library Thing allows users to search for books on Amazon.com or the Library of Congress (they include a radio button, but you cannot select both :-)) After finding your book, you can add it to a list complete with cover art and a general description (which you can edit!). In addition, you can supply your own review and rating for each book. If you are looking for a good book to read, just search by tag and you can find books that others have read that are similar to your own tastes.

All About Food

Urbanspoon.com is a great website for those looking for quality places to eat throughout the United States. In addition, visitors can open accounts and submit restaurant reviews, photos, and menus. The site also includes maps and driving directions to a wide range of restaurants.

Other websites to consider are imcooked and Look and Taste. Imcooked is similar to YouTube and allows those with an account to submit video content and also search for cooking demonstrations by other users. If you sign-up for an account, you can rate videos and add comments. Look and Taste is a good place to learn how to cook through videos. The website offers nutrition tips, cooking tutorials, and chef videos.

If you're looking for great food, you should be able to find something at these wonderful Web2.0 sites!

Web2.0

Recently, René and I began a series of computer classes on the second Thursday of the month called Thursday Technology Train. We developed these classes in order to highlight specific Web2.0 issues that are important to public libraries.

We meet again on December 10 from 10:30-12, but we thought you might appreciate looking at our initial presentation.

Ferguson's Career Database

The DeWitt Community Library subscribes to several online databases and this week, we examined Facts on File's Ferguson Career Guidance Center. In addition to this fine database, we have several books in our Career section that may prove helpful to job seekers.

Widgets, Widgets, Widgets!

Listen as René explains what a widget is and why they might be important to learn about and include in your website or blog. Widgets!

Creating a Talking Head

Adding a talking head to your website or blog is a good way to scare off potential patrons. Just kidding! Actually, they are quite a lot of fun and add dynamic content to entice future visitors. We explored this in our podcast called, Create a Talking Head (very creative, no?)