Changing Things Up (Ditching Dewey) Resources

A few of the most helpful resources that we used as we "Changed Things Up" and went to a book store model in our non-fiction/informational section of the DES library are listed below.

The Candid Librarian

The Centered School Library

Eliterate Librarian

Library Journal Article: It's Not About Dewey (11/01/09)

Mighty Little Librarian

Scoop It: Dewey Free Library

Summer Project: Kill Dewey (great classification list)

Van Meter Library Voice (several blog posts about the process, from start to finish)

Supplies:

Spine Stickers

After looking at a variety of colored spine labels and stickers, we decided to go with these from Demco.  There are many other options, just make sure there are enough color and shape options available.

Shelf Markers

Demco Block Shelf Markers

The Process 
Non-Fiction Section
Changing Things Up
Changing Things Up - Part II
Changing Things Up - Part III

I must give a huge "shout-out" to Shannon McClintock Miller, as she was my inspiration throughout the entire project!  Thank you for always responding so quickly to my many questions.

A great big "THANK YOU" goes out to my wonderful assistant, Maggie, for sticking with the project to the end!  You are amazing!

Changing Things Up - Part III

I often times feel that I'm being pulled in many directions, and I know that being 60% adds to that feeling.  In all honesty, it's been a busy few month in my new position as District Library Media Specialist in the Deerfield Community School District. Since this past fall, we have tackled several big projects.  We converted both libraries from Alexandria to Destiny, we implemented weekly library centers at DES, and the reorganization project in our non-fiction/informational area of the DES library is 98% complete (for more info see Changing Things Up and Changing Things Up - Part II).  Lots of hard work and determination from the most amazing library assistant around (Maggie) is how the reorganization project made it from start to finish.   Maggie took charge of the project, asked questions when she had them, and saw it through to the end!

The reorganization has proven to be successful in a variety of ways.  In my opinion, two of the greatest being...
1.The kids love it, and as they become more familiar with the new book store model concept, they are digging into topics and books that they didn't even know existed.  There's always excitement in their voices as they share the newly discovered book treasures.
2. It has made us aware of areas in our collection that need to be developed.  For example, a group of students were browsing the shelves in the War area and asked why there wasn't a shelf-marker and books for the Vietnam War.  Ding, ding.....let's take a look at what Follett has to offer.

Mosaic Wall Art

My daughter is a member of the Johnson Creek Elementary School Student Council.  I chaperoned a trip the council took this past fall to the WASC Elementary Leadership Conference.  The conference sessions were held at the State Capitol and the Madison Children's Museum.  The photos below were taken in the Art Studio at the museum.  The mosaics cover a large portion of the wall space in the studio and are made from decorated bottle caps.

How beautiful would this be in either one of the Deerfield Community School District libraries!!