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 How Books 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 Avi FIC Bradbury FIC Stine Easy enough, but...

How would you organize nonfiction books to show patterns?

Your Turn You 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 Turn Each 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 Congress 3.Dewey Decimal System

Advantages of Types of Nonfiction 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

Fiction 7. 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 Books 8. 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