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FROM: "Jennifer Hendzlik" <[removed]@mail.sgcl.org>
REC'D: 4/12/04, 11:39 AM
*Cross Posting*Do you have a romance section in your library? If you do, have
you always had it or is it a new addition? If you remember
implementation-we need your help!
My library is currently considering a separate romance section at
the request of patronage system-wide. Before we make the decision
to try this or not, your feedback will be invaluable. Please take
a moment and answer the following questions:
-What steps did you take to develop a romance section?
-What was the criterion used? -subject headings, specific
publishers, certain authors, etc...
-What has been your patron reaction to the section?
-After the inception, do you have specific criteria for what is
placed in the collection?
-Any other tips, hints, things to consider, things you never
thought of that were a big deal, etc...
Thank you in advance for your help! Feel free to contact me
privately.
~Jennifer
Jennifer Hendzlik, MLS
Reference Department Manager
Brentwood Branch Library
Springfield, MO 65804
(417)874-8130
[removed]@mail.sgcl.org
FROM: "Warner, Deb" <[removed]@co.durham.nc.us>
REC'D: 4/14/04, 11:16 AM
A few years ago we split the fiction in our main library into: general,
Sci-fi & fantasy, westerns, romance & horror.
By lucky chance a student at one of the library schools nearby had done her
master's paper on genre-fication suggesting criteria for these. I can check
with our head of adult services to see if we can send you a full copy of the
romance criteria, but they included: Happy ending (kiss and/or wedding),
cover design (flowers, couple embracing, flowers). & plot elements boy meets
girl without too many other elements. For instance, it got tricky with some
of the romantic suspense titles. Then a large group of volunteers went
shelf by shelf and taggged any titles they felt should be shelved in a
specific genre section. Finally, when the library was closed for vacation
for a few days, we had the Great Reshelving, during which a great many books
were pulled of shelves and placed on tables or carts, shelves were moved,
signs were placed and books resleved. I don't remember the full details,
but my co-worker may.
In addtion to the criteria mentioned above: subject headings in
Novelist were consulted, publishers made a difference sometimes, as did
specific authors. Unfortunately sometimes authors were split, although if
only one out of many seemed to diverge from the rest of the author's work it
was often placed with the rest of his or her work. To be placed in a genre
section a book had to be strongly themed for that genre alone, ie if there
was a love story that was embedded in an examination of family history, it
stayed in the general ficiton area, as did a lot of the romantic suspense
and all the inspirational. This holds true for the continuing delegation of
new titles and often we consult on iffy choices. For instance, where to put
THE COWBOY AND THE VAMPIRE...romance, western, horror? I think we left that
one in general. Sometimes we place a book in a genre section even if it is
doubtful becasue we think it most likely to appeal to those readers an will
be easier for them to find in the genre section.
Patrons don't usually like change much and the splitting of authors did
and does cause some confusion. Eventually most of them got used to it and we
don't get many complaints now. However many did and do like being able to
go directly to a specific section and browse and it makes it easier for us
as well.
-
*
take
a moment and answer the following questions:-What steps did you take to develop a romance section?
-What was the criterion used? -subject headings, specific
publishers, certain authors, etc...
-What has been your patron reaction to the section?
-After the inception, do you have specific criteria for what is
placed in the collection?
-Any other tips, hints, things to consider, things you never
thought of that were a big deal, etc...
Thank you in advance for your help! Feel free to contact me
privately.
~Jennifer
Jennifer Hendzlik, MLS
Reference Department Manager
Brentwood Branch Library
Springfield, MO 65804
(417)874-8130
[removed]@mail.sgcl.org
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