How Do I Find the Book I Want in the Media Center?

Let’s see what you already

know

Can You Identify the Two Main Categories of Books?

There are two main categories of books. Here are examples of each:

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid• Extremely Weird Deep Sea Creatures

Diary of a Wimpy Kid = Fiction (not true)Extremely Weird Deep Sea Creatures = Nonfiction (true)

Can You Explain HowBooks are Labeled in Most Libraries?

Fiction books have _______________ on the spine, or outside edge. Nonfiction books have _______ on the book spine. These letters or numbers on the spine are called call numbers.

Fiction books have FIC (or F) + the first letters of the author’s last name on the spine.Nonfiction books have numbers on the spine.

Can you predict the outcome if there wasn’t an organizational

system for books in a library or bookstore?

Organization of Fiction Books

Fiction books are organized alphabetically by the author’s last name. This method works well because we often know (or can easily find out) the names of the authors we like to read.

FIC AviFIC BradburyFIC Stine

Easy enough, but . . .

How would you organize nonfiction

books to show patterns?

Your TurnYou have a variety of books at your table. Think about the types of books you have available, determine the best way to organize them so other students would be best able to find the books they want. Be ready to describe the system you devised. Evaluate your group’s decision-making process.

Your TurnEach group will need the following:1. an observer to listen to and observe individual and group

behaviors, 2. a recorder to complete the handout for the group (with help

from the observer), 3. a leader to be responsible for moving the group forward to

task completion, and 4. a reporter to report the findings to the class.

(Roles of observer and reporter can be combined if necessary.)

Record each person’s name and role on the top of your sheet.

Your Turn

What were your findings?

Typical Organization of Nonfiction Books in Libraries/Bookstores

Nonfiction is usually organized by subjects (travel, history, psychology, the arts, science).

Three popular organizational methods:1. BISAC (Book Industry Standards and

Communications) 2. Library of Congress3. Dewey Decimal System

Advantages of Types ofNonfiction Organization

1. BISAC (Book Industry Standards and Communications) = bookstore-style layout, books grouped by general areas (ex. gardening, travel and leisure, romance, mysteries), great for browsing

2. Library of Congress = academic (university) library method, very specific, great for research

3. Dewey Decimal System = classifies and groups books by subject areas, built on standardization, used at most public and school libraries (+MMHS)

What are the features and functions of the

Dewey Decimal System of organization?

Dewey Decimal System: Fun Facts!

The Dewey Decimal System helps you locate books on the library shelves. Nonfiction books in our library are kept on the center shelves. Fiction is kept on the outside walls.

Dewey Decimal System

Nonfiction 1. Nonfiction books are grouped into 10

categories (generalities, philosophy /psychology, religion, social sciences, etc.)

2. Each category has a number(000s-900s) and each book has a number in the category.

3. Categories and books are in numerical order.

Nonfiction 4. The numbering system helps you find the

subject you want (for example, pets).5. The groupings put books on similar topics

together (for example, kinds of dogs, dog care).6. Posters at the ends of each shelving unit show

you the Dewey Decimal numbers in that section.

Dewey Decimal System

Fiction7. Fiction books are now kept separate because

the section grew too large. (Today some fiction is still kept in with nonfiction, such as fairy tales, great works, plays, and poems.)

Searching for Books8. You can do a computerized search for the

specific topic or book you’re looking for. Our library uses a system called Destiny Quest.

Dewey Decimal System

Additional Collections

Our library also has separate areas for biographies, graphic novels, and Spanish language works (fiction, biographies, graphic novels, and nonfiction). What are the advantages/ disadvantages of separating these books out from the general collections?

Students use Destiny Quest to find books in our library.

Thanks for visiting!

We hope your enjoy your media

center.

Dr. K. Lancaster, Marathon High School, Spring 2013

Now . . . on to the fun!

The Great Library

Scavenger Hunt: Part 1