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Fiction_L Archives
Where do you file biographies?
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FROM: "Rhonda Jessup" <[removed]@whitbylibrary.on.ca>
REC'D: 4/23/04, 9:46 AM
Rhonda Jessup
Whitby Public Library
Whitby, ON, Canada
FROM: "Linda Cannon" <[removed]@joplinpubliclibrary.org>
REC'D: 4/23/04, 10:02 AM
Linda Cannon, Collection Development Librarian
Joplin Public Library
300 S. Main St.
Joplin, MO 64801-2384
417-623-7953 (fax 417-624-5217)
email [removed]@joplinpubliclibrary.org
-----Original Message-----
From: Rhonda Jessup [[removed]@whitbylibrary.on.ca]
Sent: Friday, April 23, 2004 9:44 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Where do you file biographies?
This is not a Fiction question but does relate to genres. We, like a
lot of libraries, have our biographies filed within their subjects
(i.e., biographies of chemists are filed in 540.92), rather than in the
920's. We made the change years ago and our patrons still hate it. We
have placed a green sticker on biographies so that they are identifiable
in the stacks. We realize, however, that we are asking patrons to
wander up and down the stacks looking for the little green sticker. We
are building a new central library which will be 3x the size of the
current building and will asking biography readers to wander up and down
even more stacks.
I realize that pathfinders, book lists, the reference interview are all
valuable tools in serving biography readers but the fact is we still
have people coming in who just want to browse and read about "an
interesting life." In a recent survey here, 18% of the respondents
indicated a reading interest in biographies.
What we are wondering is if we should treat biographies as a genre and
place them together. That is, reclassify them as 920's or put them in
their own section but still filed by their current Dewey numbers. I
have to admit that I am not a big fan of the second option because once
you start pulling out "special" collections, it becomes very easy to
fracture your NF collection. The topic resulted in a spirited
discussion at our Department Heads meeting yesterday and we haven't yet
reached a consensus. Most of us can make a solid case for both sides of
the issue.
My question to the group is: how do your libraries treat biographies?
And more importantly, how are your patrons searching for biographies?
Any thoughts, advice, musings are most appreciated. If there is
interest, I will compile the responses and post them to the list.
Sincerely,
Rhonda Jessup
Whitby Public Library
Whitby, ON, Canada
FROM: "Roberta Johnson" <[removed]@dppl.org>
REC'D: 4/23/04, 10:08 AM
Roberta S. Johnson
Readers' Services Librarian
Des Plaines Public Library
1501 Ellinwood St. Des Plaines, IL 60016
www.dppl.org [removed]@dppl.org
FROM: "Jean Meadors" <[removed]@ccpl.ci.corpus-christi.tx.us>
REC'D: 4/23/04, 10:32 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: [removed]@maillist.webrary.org
[[removed]@maillist.webrary.org]On Behalf Of Rhonda Jessup
Sent: Friday, April 23, 2004 9:44 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Where do you file biographies?
This is not a Fiction question but does relate to genres. We, like a lot of
libraries, have our biographies filed within their subjects (i.e.,
biographies of chemists are filed in 540.92), rather than in the 920's. We
made the change years ago and our patrons still hate it. We have placed a
green sticker on biographies so that they are identifiable in the stacks.
We realize, however, that we are asking patrons to wander up and down the
stacks looking for the little green sticker. We are building a new central
library which will be 3x the size of the current building and will asking
biography readers to wander up and down even more stacks.
I realize that pathfinders, book lists, the reference interview are all
valuable tools in serving biography readers but the fact is we still have
people coming in who just want to browse and read about "an interesting
life." In a recent survey here, 18% of the respondents indicated a reading
interest in biographies.
What we are wondering is if we should treat biographies as a genre and place
them together. That is, reclassify them as 920's or put them in their own
section but still filed by their current Dewey numbers. I have to admit
that I am not a big fan of the second option because once you start pulling
out "special" collections, it becomes very easy to fracture your NF
collection. The topic resulted in a spirited discussion at our Department
Heads meeting yesterday and we haven't yet reached a consensus. Most of us
can make a solid case for both sides of the issue.
My question to the group is: how do your libraries treat biographies? And
more importantly, how are your patrons searching for biographies?
Any thoughts, advice, musings are most appreciated. If there is interest, I
will compile the responses and post them to the list.
Sincerely,
Rhonda Jessup
Whitby Public Library
Whitby, ON, Canada
FROM: BookBitch <[removed]@yahoo.com>
REC'D: 4/23/04, 11:05 AM
My only comparison is to a bookstore (Borders) where I
worked for several years where bios were shelved
within subjects and it was always a problem. In my
experience, the 'B' system works really well.
Stacy Alesi
Southwest County Regional Library
Boca Raton, Florida
www.pbclibrary.org
=====
I am the BookBitch
www.bookbitch.com
WIN APRIL SHOWERS OF BOOKS!
Last Lullaby; Past Due; Liars & Thieves; Mortification; The Bride Stripped Bare; Bobby Fischer Goes to War
FROM: Annette Sliwinski <[removed]@linc.lib.il.us>
REC'D: 4/23/04, 11:11 AM
Annette Sliwinski
Reference Librarian
Franklin Park P.L.
Franklin Park, IL
FROM: "ROBIN BEERBOWER" <[removed]@cityofsalem.net>
REC'D: 4/23/04, 12:18 PM
Just my two cents worth and not necessarily the library's opinion.
:-)
Robin Beerbower
Salem (OR) Public Library
>>> [removed]@whitbylibrary.on.ca 4/23/2004 7:43:52 AM >>>
This is not a Fiction question but does relate to genres. We, like a
lot of libraries, have our biographies filed within their subjects
(i.e., biographies of chemists are filed in 540.92), rather than in the
920's. We made the change years ago and our patrons still hate it. We
have placed a green sticker on biographies so that they are identifiable
in the stacks. We realize, however, that we are asking patrons to
wander up and down the stacks looking for the little green sticker. We
are building a new central library which will be 3x the size of the
current building and will asking biography readers to wander up and down
even more stacks.
I realize that pathfinders, book lists, the reference interview are all
valuable tools in serving biography readers but the fact is we still
have people coming in who just want to browse and read about "an
interesting life." In a recent survey here, 18% of the respondents
indicated a reading interest in biographies.
What we are wondering is if we should treat biographies as a genre and
place them together. That is, reclassify them as 920's or put them in
their own section but still filed by their current Dewey numbers. I
have to admit that I am not a big fan of the second option because once
you start pulling out "special" collections, it becomes very easy to
fracture your NF collection. The topic resulted in a spirited
discussion at our Department Heads meeting yesterday and we haven't yet
reached a consensus. Most of us can make a solid case for both sides of
the issue.
My question to the group is: how do your libraries treat biographies?
And more importantly, how are your patrons searching for biographies?
Any thoughts, advice, musings are most appreciated. If there is
interest, I will compile the responses and post them to the list.
Sincerely,
Rhonda Jessup
Whitby Public Library
Whitby, ON, Canada
FROM: Lesa Holstine <[removed]@yahoo.com>
REC'D: 4/23/04, 1:14 PM
Lesa Holstine
[removed]@yahoo.com
Ft. Myers, Fl
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Photos: High-quality 4x6 digital prints for 25¢
http://photos.yahoo.com/ph/print_splash
FROM: Candice Michalik <[removed]@yahoo.com>
REC'D: 4/23/04, 2:18 PM
=====
Candice Michalik
Reference Librarian
Lynchburg Public Library
Lynchburg, VA
[removed]@yahoo.com
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Photos: High-quality 4x6 digital prints for 25¢
http://photos.yahoo.com/ph/print_splash
FROM: "Matthew Shaw" <[removed]@and.lib.in.us>
REC'D: 4/23/04, 3:53 PM
B Rasp R
It works wonderfully well, and the system is especially well-liked by
fans of biography who enjoy reading about a diversity of subjects.
Matthew Shaw
Reference Services, Asst. Manager
Anderson Public Library
Anderson, IN
FROM: Amy Garrett <[removed]@yahoo.com>
REC'D: 4/23/04, 4:21 PM
=====
"Rather fail with honor than succeed by fraud" -- Sophocles
Amy Garrett
RISD Action Council
Head of Adult Services
Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library
3512 Darrow Rd. Stow, OH 44224
(330) 688-3295
[removed]@yahoo.com
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Photos: High-quality 4x6 digital prints for 25¢
http://photos.yahoo.com/ph/print_splash
FROM: "Waznis, Betty" <[removed]@sdcounty.ca.gov>
REC'D: 4/23/04, 6:55 PM
Betty Waznis
San Diego County Library
FROM: "Jan Doxtator" <[removed]@fibernetcc.com>
REC'D: 4/24/04, 11:22 AM
Jan Doxtator
Stevens Point, WI
FROM: "christine jeffords" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 4/24/04, 11:40 AM
_________________________________________________________________
MSN Toolbar provides one-click access to Hotmail from any Web page – FREE
download! http://toolbar.msn.com/go/onm00200413ave/direct/01/
FROM: "Sarah Stein" <[removed]@denver.lib.co.us>
REC'D: 4/24/04, 12:03 PM
Sarah
>>> [removed]@hotmail.com 4/24/04 10:39:35 AM >>>
Every library I have ever been in (and I've been in a lot), except for the
one at the University (which uses the Library of Congress system), files its
biographies in a section of their own. Some call it "the 920's," some label
the books with a "B," but I've *never* known of any that use the Dewey
system that interfile the biographies with the larger subjects.
_________________________________________________________________
MSN Toolbar provides one-click access to Hotmail from any Web page * FREE
download! http://toolbar.msn.com/go/onm00200413ave/direct/01/
Sarah Stein
Senior Special Collections Librarian
Materials Support/Special Cataloging
Denver Public Library
Denver, Colorado, USA
[removed]@denver.lib.co.us
FROM: "Ellen Dark" <[removed]@county-lambton.on.ca>
REC'D: 4/24/04, 1:17 PM
Ellen Dark
Reference Librarian
Sarnia Branch
Lambton County Library
124 Christina St. S.
Sarnia, ON N7T 8E1
-----Original Message-----
From: [removed]@maillist.webrary.org
[[removed]@maillist.webrary.org] On Behalf Of Sarah Stein
Sent: April 24, 2004 1:03 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: RE: Where do you file biographies?
At Denver Public Library we class with the profession according to Dewey
and we shelve them that way. Some few of our branches do make a
separate biography section.
Sarah
>>> [removed]@hotmail.com 4/24/04 10:39:35 AM >>>
Every library I have ever been in (and I've been in a lot), except for
the
one at the University (which uses the Library of Congress system), files
its
biographies in a section of their own. Some call it "the 920's," some
label
the books with a "B," but I've *never* known of any that use the Dewey
system that interfile the biographies with the larger subjects.
_________________________________________________________________
MSN Toolbar provides one-click access to Hotmail from any Web page *
FREE
download! http://toolbar.msn.com/go/onm00200413ave/direct/01/
Sarah Stein
Senior Special Collections Librarian
Materials Support/Special Cataloging
Denver Public Library
Denver, Colorado, USA
[removed]@denver.lib.co.us
FROM: "Cristine Mitchamore" <[removed]@sanantonio.gov>
REC'D: 4/24/04, 4:16 PM
-----Original Message-----
From: Rhonda Jessup [[removed]@whitbylibrary.on.ca]
Sent: Fri 4/23/2004 9:43 AM
To: Fiction_L
Cc:
Subject: Where do you file biographies?
This is not a Fiction question but does relate to genres. We, like a lot of libraries, have our biographies filed within their subjects (i.e., biographies of chemists are filed in 540.92), rather than in the 920's. We made the change years ago and our patrons still hate it. We have placed a green sticker on biographies so that they are identifiable in the stacks. We realize, however, that we are asking patrons to wander up and down the stacks looking for the little green sticker. We are building a new central library which will be 3x the size of the current building and will asking biography readers to wander up and down even more stacks.
I realize that pathfinders, book lists, the reference interview are all valuable tools in serving biography readers but the fact is we still have people coming in who just want to browse and read about "an interesting life." In a recent survey here, 18% of the respondents indicated a reading interest in biographies.
What we are wondering is if we should treat biographies as a genre and place them together. That is, reclassify them as 920's or put them in their own section but still filed by their current Dewey numbers. I have to admit that I am not a big fan of the second option because once you start pulling out "special" collections, it becomes very easy to fracture your NF collection. The topic resulted in a spirited discussion at our Department Heads meeting yesterday and we haven't yet reached a consensus. Most of us can make a solid case for both sides of the issue.
My question to the group is: how do your libraries treat biographies? And more importantly, how are your patrons searching for biographies?
Any thoughts, advice, musings are most appreciated. If there is interest, I will compile the responses and post them to the list.
Sincerely,
Rhonda Jessup
Whitby Public Library
Whitby, ON, Canada
......................................................................
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FROM: "Jennifer King" <[removed]@msn.com>
REC'D: 4/25/04, 12:17 PM
Jennifer King, Branch Librarian
Monmouth County Library, Marlboro
[removed]@msn.com
FROM: Carrie Herrmann <[removed]@bcpl.org>
REC'D: 4/26/04, 8:00 AM
We file biographies in their own section at the end of the nonfiction
collection. All biographies and autobiographies have the letter "B" on the
first line of the label and the first four letters of the last name of the
person the book is about on the second line of the label. Our customers seem
to appreciate that biographies are pulled out in one place.
Carrie A. Herrmann
Circulation Services Coordinator
Boone County Public Library
859-384-5550 (phone)
859-384-5557 (fax)
[removed]@bcpl.org
FROM: "Carol Kubala" <[removed]@columbiapl.libct.org>
REC'D: 4/26/04, 10:07 AM
We file most bio's in a specific biography location with the label B and
the last name of who the bio is about. Still, we often have lengthy
discussions about where to locate some materials like the chemist you
mention. I opt to put all this in bio as it easier for the patron to
find. My co-worker would put all in the subject area. One day I got
silly about this and decided to locate Seabiscuit in biography rather
than its' dewey number. No one has complained yet! I'll be interested to
read the responses.
--
Carol Kubala
Adult Services Librarian
Saxton B. Little Free Library
319 Route 87
Columbia, CT 06237
Voice 860-228-0350 Fax 860-228-1569
Rhonda Jessup wrote:
>This is not a Fiction question but does relate to genres. We, like a lot of libraries, have our biographies filed within their subjects (i.e., biographies of chemists are filed in 540.92), rather than in the 920's. We made the change years ago and our patrons still hate it. We have placed a green sticker on biographies so that they are identifiable in the stacks. We realize, however, that we are asking patrons to wander up and down the stacks looking for the little green sticker. We are building a new central library which will be 3x the size of the current building and will asking biography readers to wander up and down even more stacks.
>
>I realize that pathfinders, book lists, the reference interview are all valuable tools in serving biography readers but the fact is we still have people coming in who just want to browse and read about "an interesting life." In a recent survey here, 18% of the respondents indicated a reading interest in biographies.
>
>What we are wondering is if we should treat biographies as a genre and place them together. That is, reclassify them as 920's or put them in their own section but still filed by their current Dewey numbers. I have to admit that I am not a big fan of the second option because once you start pulling out "special" collections, it becomes very easy to fracture your NF collection. The topic resulted in a spirited discussion at our Department Heads meeting yesterday and we haven't yet reached a consensus. Most of us can make a solid case for both sides of the issue.
>
>My question to the group is: how do your libraries treat biographies? And more importantly, how are your patrons searching for biographies?
>
>Any thoughts, advice, musings are most appreciated. If there is interest, I will compile the responses and post them to the list.
>
>Sincerely,
>
>Rhonda Jessup
>Whitby Public Library
>Whitby, ON, Canada
>
>......................................................................
>Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
>Everything Fiction_L: http://fictionl.webrary.org
>
>
>
FROM: JCURTIN <[removed]@cuyahoga.lib.oh.us>
REC'D: 4/29/04, 11:21 AM
B
C8835g
For a biography of Bing Crosby by Gary Giddins.
Joan Curtin
FROM: "Lynn S. Smith-Roberts" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 5/15/04, 6:00 PM
Because so many of the school projects we support are biography-driven, all
of our juvenile biographies are in the same section at the head of the Juvie
non-fiction.
Lynn S. Smith-Roberts
Librarian II
Carmichael Regional Library
Sacramento Public Library
[removed]@whitbylibrary.on.ca 4/23/2004 7:43:52 AM >>>
This is not a Fiction question but does relate to genres. We, like a
lot of libraries, have our biographies filed within their subjects
(i.e., biographies of chemists are filed in 540.92), rather than in the
920's. We made the change years ago and our patrons still hate it. We
have placed a green sticker on biographies so that they are identifiable
in the stacks. We realize, however, that we are asking patrons to
wander up and down the stacks looking for the little green sticker. We
are building a new central library which will be 3x the size of the
current building and will asking biography readers to wander up and down
even more stacks.
I realize that pathfinders, book lists, the reference interview are all
valuable tools in serving biography readers but the fact is we still
have people coming in who just want to browse and read about "an
interesting life." In a recent survey here, 18% of the respondents
indicated a reading interest in biographies.
What we are wondering is if we should treat biographies as a genre and
place them together. That is, reclassify them as 920's or put them in
their own section but still filed by their current Dewey numbers. I
have to admit that I am not a big fan of the second option because once
you start pulling out "special" collections, it becomes very easy to
fracture your NF collection. The topic resulted in a spirited
discussion at our Department Heads meeting yesterday and we haven't yet
reached a consensus. Most of us can make a solid case for both sides of
the issue.
My question to the group is: how do your libraries treat biographies?
And more importantly, how are your patrons searching for biographies?
Any thoughts, advice, musings are most appreciated. If there is
interest, I will compile the responses and post them to the list.
Sincerely,
Rhonda Jessup
Whitby Public Library
Whitby, ON, Canada
_________________________________________________________________
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FROM: Kathleen Stipek <[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us>
REC'D: 5/17/04, 7:42 AM
Kathleen Stipek, Alachua County Library District (FMG), 401 East University
Avenue, Gainesville, Florida 32601 (352-334-3939; fax 352-334-3948)
"Non, merci."
--Cyrano de Bergerac
-----Original Message-----
From: Lynn S. Smith-Roberts [[removed]@hotmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, May 15, 2004 6:59 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Biographies -- shelving
The decision was made in our system, years ago, when dirt was young [but
some people are older'n dirt], to shelve our biographies in with the
person's respective fields. Newcomers, plus, I suspect, old-timers,
continue to come in to look for biographies, and are dismayed to find them
not together in a special section. However, there are many in our branches,
and I don't think we'll ever go back to the old way. This is, however, only
for adult biographies. We use yellow stickers above the call number; the
stickers have a silhouette of Abraham Lincoln on them, and the word
"Biography." When we tell our adult biography readers this, they are
happier, and will go down the shelves looking for these stickers.
Because so many of the school projects we support are biography-driven, all
of our juvenile biographies are in the same section at the head of the Juvie
non-fiction.
Lynn S. Smith-Roberts
Librarian II
Carmichael Regional Library
Sacramento Public Library
[removed]@whitbylibrary.on.ca 4/23/2004 7:43:52 AM >>>
This is not a Fiction question but does relate to genres. We, like a
lot of libraries, have our biographies filed within their subjects
(i.e., biographies of chemists are filed in 540.92), rather than in the
920's. We made the change years ago and our patrons still hate it. We
have placed a green sticker on biographies so that they are identifiable
in the stacks. We realize, however, that we are asking patrons to
wander up and down the stacks looking for the little green sticker. We
are building a new central library which will be 3x the size of the
current building and will asking biography readers to wander up and down
even more stacks.
I realize that pathfinders, book lists, the reference interview are all
valuable tools in serving biography readers but the fact is we still
have people coming in who just want to browse and read about "an
interesting life." In a recent survey here, 18% of the respondents
indicated a reading interest in biographies.
What we are wondering is if we should treat biographies as a genre and
place them together. That is, reclassify them as 920's or put them in
their own section but still filed by their current Dewey numbers. I
have to admit that I am not a big fan of the second option because once
you start pulling out "special" collections, it becomes very easy to
fracture your NF collection. The topic resulted in a spirited
discussion at our Department Heads meeting yesterday and we haven't yet
reached a consensus. Most of us can make a solid case for both sides of
the issue.
My question to the group is: how do your libraries treat biographies?
And more importantly, how are your patrons searching for biographies?
Any thoughts, advice, musings are most appreciated. If there is
interest, I will compile the responses and post them to the list.
Sincerely,
Rhonda Jessup
Whitby Public Library
Whitby, ON, Canada
_________________________________________________________________
Getting married? Find tips, tools and the latest trends at MSN Life Events.
http://lifeevents.msn.com/category.aspx?cid=married
FROM: [removed]@cwmars.org
REC'D: 5/17/04, 12:25 PM
Good luck in your decision how to treat your biographies.
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