1. Un-Deweying the School Library: Empowering Students and Expanding Learning
Sandy Bixby Library Media Specialist Edgemere Elementary School
Kelly Ray Library Media Resource Teacher
Office of Digital Learning
Session Resources: tinyurl.com/undewey
KELLY

2. Session Outcomes We hope that our story will inspire and empower you to …
Create an action plan for transitioning a school library collection from the Dewey Decimal System to a “bookstore model”
Customize the organization of your school library collection to address the needs of all learners
SANDY

3. Session Bookmark
Access resources referenced throughout this session including:
Project Wiki URL & QR Code
Fiction Genre Spotlights on Edgemere School Library Wiki
Bixby’s Bookshelves Blog
Follow us
Contact us
SANDY
The session Bookmark will provide you with access to resources referenced throughout this session, including:
the URL and a QR Code for our Un-Deweying Project Wiki, where we’ve curated all the resources we have used and created for the genrefication pilot project at Edgemere Elementary.
the URL for Edgemere’s school library Wiki, where we’ll be showcasing some Fiction Genre Spotlight pages we created as part of this project.
The URL for my librarian’s blog, Bixby’s Bookshelves, where I’ve been documenting our genrefication journey since last fall
Information about how you can Follow Us or Contact Us

4. ASK QUESTIONS and share your thoughts @ todaysmeet.com/undew1
Image: AASL/Knowledge Quest
SANDY
We know that Dewey vs. Genre is a controversial issue among school librarians, so we invite you to “throw down” (virtually, not physically) by posting comments and questions on our session back-channel at todaysmeet.com/undewey.
If there are questions posted there which we haven’t addressed during the session, I will try my best to answer those as soon as possible on my Blog.

5. “subject-based cataloging” “non-traditional shelving”
“bookstore model”
KELLY
We’d like to begin with some background information about “genrefication” and what it really means.
“Genrefication” is defined in the Urban Dictionary as “The process or idea of classifying music, film, literature, or other such mediums into specific genres or categories.
In the library world, it is also known by other names like “subject-based cataloging,” “non-traditional shelving,” and the “book store model,” based on how book stores like Barnes and Noble organize their books in categories to appeal to the readers who are their customers.
Genrefication is simply an alternative to (or in some cases an adaptation of) the Dewey Decimal System of classification that’s been used for the last 130 years in most school and public libraries.
You will see that while we did “disrupt Dewey” when we genrefied the collection at Edgemere Elementary School, we did not “ditch Dewey” completely.
“subject-based cataloging”
“non-traditional shelving”
“un-Deweying”
Image:

6. Inspired by Trends and Trailblazers
KELLY
We’ve been seeing journal articles, blogs, conference presentations, Twitter chats, and Webinars about the “genrefication” trend in school libraries for several years now.
For example, the cover story of SLJ’s October 2012 issue was titled “Are Dewey’s Days Numbered?” School librarians around the country were just horrified by that headline.
But just about a year later, the entire November/December 2013 issue of AASL’s KnowledgeQuest journal was devoted to the theme of Dewey or Don’t We? with a variety of perspectives on Dewey vs. genre.
At the 2013 AASL conference, I attended a session called “Ditching Dewey: Genrefication in Your Library”
So this conversation had continued to gain momentum in our professional community, and is less regarded as a “fringe” idea only embraced by a few radical militant librarians among us.
were intrigued by the possibilities of this new model, and encouraged by some of the positive outcomes reported by school librarians like Mrs. Readerpants, and The Mighty Little Librarian, who have been sharing their genrefication process and results with the global school library community through social media.
We were inspired by their examples and learned from their stories.
*See more inspiration on our Project wiki.

7. What do YOU think about the “genrefication” trend in school libraries?
KELLY
We know that “genrefication” continues to be somewhat controversial among school librarians,
So, we’d like to get a sense of how you feel right now about the “genrefication” trend. BEFORE before we share the story of our project at Edgemere Elementary
[Provide instructions for responding to Poll on next slide).

8. [We may HIDE this slide]
KELLY
[We may HIDE this slide]
Give directions: If you’re on your computer and we have WiFi , respond at PollEv.com/bcpslibrary
On your cell phone (if no WiFi): Text BCPSLIBRARY to to join, then text A B or C.

9. KELLY
[Kelly must be logged into Poll Everywhere and the Poll. Display INSTRUCTIONS VIEW and then use Paintbrush on toolbar to change to BAR CHART to display and review results.]
We hope that by sharing the story of our journey, we can help you to decide if un-Deweying is something you’d like to take on in your own school library.

10. CG 2015 Responses

11. BCPS Office of Digital Learning (ODL) S.T.A.T. initiative
Lighthouse Schools
School Library Media Centers & Programs
KELLY
First I’d like to provide some context by for our story by sharing some information about our Office of Digital Learning at BCPS, who provided leadership and support for the genrefication pilot at Edgemere. Then Sandy will share some information about her school.
The Office of Digital learning is responsible for STAT (Students and Teachers Accessing Tomorrow), which is our district’s multi-year initiative for transforming our schools by creating 21st century digital learning environments to prepare globally-competitive graduates ... including a 1:1 roll-out of devices for students.
The S.T.A.T. initiative and 1:1 roll-out began in 10 elementary schools this year and will be scaled out to all elementary schools (including Edgemere) and 7 middle schools next year.

12. ODL: School Library Media Centers & Programs
Libraries staffed by certified library media specialists or Cohorts.
Elementary: Rigorous K-5 Library Media Curriculum aligned with AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner and CCSS; weekly special area class.
Secondary LMS: Teach classes regularly in collaboration with teachers
ODL provided leadership and support for the genrefication pilot project at Edgemere Elementary
Offering genrefication workshops for other BCPS librarians
ODL staff may be able to provide limited staff support for genrefication projects at other schools. School LMS must submit an Action Plan.
KELLY
Our office also supports all school library media centers and programs. I am one of two Library Media Resource Teachers in the Office of Digital Learning who works with our librarians, along with our ODL Supervisor.
As part of the S.T.A.T. initiative, our teachers have been working to create more learner-centered environments in their classrooms. We see genrefication as one way for our librarians to create a more learner-centered environment in school libraries.
So, when Sandy approached our office this past Fall to ask if she could be the “trail-blazer” in our school library community by genrefying her collection, we agreed to provide leadership and support for a pilot project at her school library.
Based on the success of Sandy’s project there, we have since scheduled several “un-Deweying” workshops this Spring, for other librarians in our district who may be interested in un-Deweying their collections.
Now Sandy will give you some background about her school and her library.

13. Images © Baltimore County Public Schools
Edgemere Elementary School
One of 108 BCPS Elementary Schools
Southeast Area of Baltimore County
487 students
47% FARM 10% Special Ed
Average class size students
Images © Baltimore County Public Schools
Sandy:
Edgemere is one of 108 BCPS elementary schools, located in the Southeast Area of Baltimore County (in little beige section you see here on the map)
We have 487 students - 47% eligible for Free and Reduced Meals and 10% in Special Education 
The average class size at Edgemere is students
I have been the Library Media Specialist there for 4 years.

14. Edgemere Elementary School Library
Collection: 7,812 Books
1288 Fiction
139 Graphic Novels
3809 Nonfiction
2427 Everybody (Picture Books)
Library Automation: Follett
DESTINY Library Manager
DESTINYQuest OPAC
SANDY
These are the collection statistics during the time-frame of our genrification project at Edgemere (as of December 2014), so that you can see what kind of numbers we were dealing with.
[READ the numbers]
We made a decision NOT to genrefy the Everybody (or picture) books.
In our libraries, Everybody books are in a separate area on low shelves and labeled with Call # Prefix “E” and first letter of author’s last name
We thought it was best to leave them organized this way, since primary students are just learning the alphabet.
All of our school libraries use Follett’s DESTINY Library Manager and DESTINYQuest is our OPAC

15. Why I decided to un-Dewey…
To balance time for teaching and learning with time for finding and checking out books
Curriculum lessons take most of the class period
Limited time for searching Destiny library catalog and browsing shelves Image: BCPS
Sandy: The main reason why I decided to un-Dewey my collection was …

16. Why I decided to un-Dewey …
To empower students to be more independent and successful at finding books they want to read
Students spent more time “searching and asking” for books than “finding and reading” them
Limitations of OPAC for younger students
Our mission is to connect kids with books!
To make their Library a more learner-centered environment
Elementary students have not yet mastered decimal skills
So Dewey Decimal System is more librarian-centric than student-centric
It’s THEIR Library!
Image:
Sandy: Talk through rationale

17. Logistics Support: Planning, funding and human resources Time & Labor
BCPS Office of Digital Learning staff
A few fellow BCPS school librarians
School administration, staff, students
Time & Labor
20+ hours
Up to 8 helpers during various sessions
Used days with no students, after school, evenings, planning periods
Budget
Approximately $200 spent on supplies
Image © BCPS
SANDY

18. The Plan Genrefy the Fiction section first, then Nonfiction
Leave Everybody section (picture books) in alphabetical order by author
Leave some popular Series/Authors in baskets/un-labeled
Total number of books involved: 5000+
Identify Fiction genres and Nonfiction subjects.
Based on students’ interests and topics in the collection
Include students in the process
Keep genre & subject names short and student-friendly
Image: BCPS
SANDY
I met with our ODL Supervisor and Library Media Resource teachers on October 31st to begin preliminary planning.

19. The Plan Create custom spine labels and signs.
Pre-printed vendor’s labels were missing genres and lacked visual appeal
Use simple, colorful, copyright-friendly images as visual cues
Add QR codes to signs for access to related online resources and media via School Library wiki.
Enlist a team of helpers to categorize, label, and re-shelve books.
Weed as we go along
Image © Baltimore County Public Schools
SANDY

20. Use Digital Tools & Social Media
Created a Project Wiki page: tinyurl.com/undewey
To curate project information and resources for other librarians to access.
Started Librarian’s Blog: bixbysbookshelves.blogspot.com
To share the journey, including project news, reflections, photos, and outcomes.
Used School Library Twitter: @EESLibrary
To share project news, photos, and student feedback.
Used Destiny Library Manager:
To display Genre/Subject sublocations in Copy records.
Collect circulation data comparing numbers before and after genrefication.
Created Genre Spotlight pages on School Library Wiki & Added QR Codes on Signs
QR codes on signs will lead students to Genre spotlight wiki pages featuring links to Author/Series Websites, Book Trailers, Review a Book, Related Reading, etc.
Image © Baltimore County Public Schools
KELLY

21. FICTION: Genres Customize genre list for YOUR students and collection!
SANDY
We identified 9 Fiction genres based on books represented in the Fiction collection and those Sandy thought would appeal most to Edgemere ES readers:
We chose Adventure, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Humor (for funny fiction books), Just Like Me (a more kid-friendly term for Realistic Fiction), Mystery, Science Fiction, and Sports Fiction.
After some debate, we decided to classify Fantasy and SciFi separately.
We added Sports Fiction as a genre and ordered more Sports Fiction books, after finding these were under-represented in the collection, and knowing that this would be a popular genre, especially for boys.
We chose the simple, colorful, copyright-friendly icons you see here for each genre.

22. FICTION: Spine Labels & Signs
We created and printed sheets of our custom spine labels and large signs (like the Fantasy spine labels and signs pictured here).
You will find links to the spine label templates, fiction label sheets and signs, and ordering information for the labels, on our Project Wiki.
* Spine label templates and signs available on our Project Wiki page.

23. FICTION: Genrefying
SANDY: When the new genre labels were ready, I began removing all the FICTION books from the shelves, determining their genres, and organizing them in piles according to genre.
Here you see a pile of Historical Fiction books ready to be labeled.
An added benefit of touching all the books was the opportunity to WEED old, beat up, or out-dated books that I knew would not appeal to my students.

24. FICTION: Labeling and re-shelving
SANDY
Then, on Elementary Conference Day in early November (when school was closed for students) our ODL supervisor and resource teachers joined me at Edgemere to label and re-shelve the Fiction books according to the new genres.
It took our team of 8 people around 3 ½ hours to label and re-shelve around 1200 Fiction books.
Then Sandy met with our leadership team to start planning the logistics for un-Deweying nonfiction.

25. Genrefied FICTION Section
Notice that we did NOT cover the Call # spine labels with the new genre labels. Books within each of the new “genre sections” are still shelved in alphabetical order by author’s last name.
We purchased acrylic frames for displaying the large genre signs, which match the spine labels and are super eye-catching
These photos are examples from the new Fantasy section in the Fiction area of the library.

26. NONFICTION: The Process Students Brainstorm Subjects
SANDY
Then we started planning for genrefying the Nonfiction section of the library.
I wanted to include my students in this process.
So, students collaborated to brainstorm nonfiction subject categories, based on their knowledge of the collection and topics they were interested in reading about.
* See more photos and videos on Bixby’s Bookshelves Blog.
Photos: bixbysbookshelves.blogspot.com

27. Nonfiction: Subjects
SANDY
We used the students’ ideas and major subjects represented in the collection to identify Nonfiction categories.
Initially we had 58 topics, which we finally reduced down to 30 broad subjects.
Again we created custom spine labels and signs, using the simple eye-catching icons you see here to serve as visual cues.
Within some of the broader subjects, we identified sub-categories and used a label-maker to label those shelves; for example within the very large section of books about Animals, we have sub-sections on Wild Animals, Ocean Animals, and Pets.
Sub-categories were identified later, using a label-maker to mark shelves.
* Spine label templates and signs available on our project wiki.
Images: Microsoft Clip Art or Clipart.com

28. Nonfiction: The Process
Categorizing, labeling, and re-shelving books
SANDY
We followed the same procedure with the Nonfiction collection as we did with Fiction.
With the help of one of our ODL Resource Teachers, I spent several days after school categorizing books according to the broad Subjects we had chosen. Books were placed in piles all over the library … on shelves, counters, and tables.
Then, a team of ODL staff and several librarians from other schools (7 of us in all) spent 2 after school sessions of 3 hours each labeling and re-shelving. Kelly and I spent another couple of hours after school to finish up.
Again, we did not cover the Dewey Decimal Call # spine labels.
within some of the new Subjects and sub-categories, books could be organized in Dewey Decimal number order.
Handling every book in the collection was an opportunity to re-discover hidden gems and to weed old, ugly, damaged, duplicate, or unappealing books.
I weeded 1500 books in all from the collection!
Photos: bixbysbookshelves.blogspot.com
* See more photos on Bixby’s Bookshelves Blog.

29. The Reaction
SANDY
Students had an immediate positive reaction to the un-Deweying of the Fiction and Nonfiction sections of the library.
I captured some student reactions on video, and will share a couple of those with you (if we have WiFi). [CLICK on EACH screenshot to go to Blog pages: 1st video (girl) is fourth video down; 2nd video (boy) is third video down. Could also show 2nd video from bottom.
You can see more student reaction videos on my Bixby’s Bookshelves Blog.
I also want to mention that our teachers’ also had a positive reaction to the new organization and signage as well … many teachers were excited to see topics covered in their curriculum, and said it was easier to find books for classroom units.
* See more student reaction videos on Bixby’s Bookshelves blog.

30. Adding & Assigning Genres & Subjects to Copies in Destiny OPAC
2. Add Genres/Subjects to Sublocation list by clicking Other; you will only need to add each category once.
3. Select Genre/Subject in Copy record from Sublocation list.
1. Select a Copy and Edit Copy.
KELLY
Books now relocated on shelves. When time permits, students can use Destiny Quest to search for books … but Call Numbers no longer useful for locating the books. SO, we found a way to display the new locations by category in Destiny.

31. Genre or Subject Displays as Location in Destiny
KELLY

32. The Data Fiction: 40% increase Nonfiction: 340% increase
Preliminary data from Destiny showed significant circulation increase immediately following genrefication, compared to data for same week in previous year:
Fiction: 40% increase
Nonfiction: 340% increase
*See more circulation data on Bixby’s Bookshelves blog.
SANDY (talk about preliminary data):
Students were excited to find more books that interested them, and immediately checked out more books than usual.

33. The Data: Total Circulations Last Year vs. This Year
November 18, 2013-June 1,
November 18, 2014-June 1,
Total Increase In Circulations or 11.2%
Would it last?

35. The Data: Fiction Of those 625 titles,
1417 titles on the Destiny Title/Copy circulation statistics report
625 titles (44.1 %) of the Fiction collection) had increases in circulation over the previous year’s circulations
Of those 625 titles,
440 (70.4%) had not circulated during the previous school year
131 (20.96%) increased by 3 circulations over the previous year
231 (36.96%) increased by 5+ circulations over the previous year \

36. Data Analysis: Top 3 Fiction Genres based on Circulation Increase
Just Like Me (80)
Fantasy (52)
Humor (36)
*Note: 126 titles were not yet assigned location fields in Destiny

38. The Data: Nonfiction Of those 1085 titles,
3891 titles were listed on the exported report
1085 titles (27.9% of the nonfiction collection) had increases in circulation over the previous year’s circulations
Of those 1085 titles,
803 (74%) had not circulated during school year
149 (13.7%) increased by 3 circulations over previous year
175 (16.1%) increased by 5+ circulations over previous year

39. Data Analysis: Top 5 Nonfiction Subjects with Circulation Increases
Animals (132)
Science (106) Top 3 subcategories: Inventors/Inventions 34, Weather 21, Experiments 15
Sports (81) - 27 were Biographies now located in the sports classification
What Can I Make? (67)
Who Is? (48) – Discovered by the 3rd grade teachers
*Note: 227 titles were not yet assigned location fields in Destiny

40. Data Analysis: The Bottom Line
Overall circulation increase of 11.2 % may not sound terribly significant BUT
Over 1200 books (800 nonfiction and 400 fiction titles) that were NEVER checked out last year have circulated this year WHICH MEANS …
Our collection is experiencing a rejuvenation as my students and teachers can more quickly and easily find what they want to read and learn!

41. Maintaining the Momentum on School Library Wiki
After all the Fiction and Nonfiction books were genrefied and their locations were set in the Destiny catalog, we proceeded with our plan to expand student interest in Fiction genres by creating Genre Spotlight pages on the Edgemere Elementary Library wiki.
We created a wiki template and then copied it to make a page for each Fiction genre, with a clickable index on the front page using the spine label graphics.

42. QR Codes and Wiki Genre Spotlights
KELLY [click sign for PDF, screenshot for live page]
After the pages were created, we added QR codes to the large Fiction Genre signs.
Students who snap the QR code with their new devices in the Library will be able to access a variety of resources to explore that genre and to encourage them to read more.
We included the QR code at the top of each Genre Spotlight page so that students could also snap the code from the whiteboard when Sandy introduces them to these pages on screen.

43. Lessons Learned … If we had it to do over again, would have:
Done the project over the summer.
Summer project more practical if lacking a large team.
Handled the books only ONCE during the process.
Would scan books to set new location fields in Catalog at same time as labeling, before re-shelving.
SANDY: [Talk about lessons learned.]

44. Lasting Impact … for Students & Teachers
Positive changes in the ways students (and teachers) use their Library and interact with the collection
Students discovering new and appealing genres and subjects
Collaborating to share and recommend genres, subjects, authors, series, and titles to each other
Increased ENGAGEMENT in the book-seeking process
Continued EXCITEMENT over books they’re finding
They’re READING!
Teachers easily finding books to support curriculum in classrooms
SANDY:

45. Lasting Impact … for Librarian
Positive changes for instruction:
Significant decrease in time needed for book browsing and check out
More time for teaching and learning
More time for meaningful reader’s advisory
SANDY: [Talk about lasting impact for librarian]
Positive outcomes for both students and teachers make the time effort we invested in the project well worth it.

46. Lasting Impact … for Librarian
Positive changes for management:
Spine labels added to Returns cart make it easy for kids to genrefy books as they return them
Re-shelving is much easier and quicker
SANDY: [Talk about lasting impact for librarian]
Positive outcomes for both students and teachers make the time effort we invested in the project well worth it.

47. Un-Deweying Tips for School Librarians
Gain support of school and district administration
Create an action plan including a timeline/budget
Assemble a team of colleagues and volunteers
Start small: Fiction first, maybe one genre at a time
Kelly

48. Un-Deweying Tips for School Librarians
Middle & High School librarians:
Recommend un-Deweying the Fiction section only
Nonfiction collections are too large
Secondary students can navigate Dewey Decimal System Call #’s
They need that experience to prepare for using college and public libraries
Kelly

49. Un-Deweying Tips for School Librarians
ALTERNATIVES:
If re-shelving books by genre not feasable, you can still genrefy!
Use colored pre-printed vendor’s genre labels OR color dot labels
Create a “key” on posters, index cards, book marks
Leave books shelved by Dewey; colored stickers can be spotted easily and genres identified using the key!
Kelly

50. ALTERNATIVES (No Re-Shelving)
Historical Fiction
Fantasy
Horror
Mystery
Realistic Fiction
SciFi

51. Un-Deweying Tips for School Librarians
ALTERNATIVES:
If re-shelving books by genre not feasable, you can still genrefy!
Use colored pre-printed vendor’s genre labels OR color dot labels
Create a “key” on posters, index cards, book marks
Leave books shelved by Dewey; colored stickers can be spotted easily and genres identified using the key!
Kelly

52. Just un-Dewey it!
Use your session BOOKMARK to examine and use resources from the Edgemere pilot
Join our new Genrefication Group on Edmodo:
Log into bcps.edmodo.com
Join with Group Code: b8hyx6
KELLY
We hope that the story of our genrefication pilot project inspires you to go forth and un-Dewey your school library collection … we’ve shown that it CAN be done, and it IS worth it for your students and for your library program!
Remember to use the resources on your bookmark to learn more, and to follow our genrefication journey as more of our school librarians in Baltimore County un-Dewey their collections.
Sandy will try to respond to any un-answered questions you’ve submitted via the Today’s Meet back-channel in her Bixby’s Bookshelves Blog.
We hope we’ve informed you about the genrefication process and inspired you to just un-Dewey it in your own school library!
Post- poll (IF time permits)