This document summarizes a presentation given at the Illinois Library Association Annual Conference on October 8, 2009 about libraries that have moved away from using the Dewey Decimal System for organizing their collections. The presentation included speakers from the Gail Borden Public Library District and Frankfort Public Library who discussed their experiences reorganizing their collections into subject-based categories and genres instead of using Dewey numbers. They reported positive customer responses to the new browser-friendly collections and increased usage of the nonfiction materials.

1. Some Dewey, Some Don’t Illinois Library Association Annual Conference October 8, 2009 Peoria Civic Center

2. Moderator: Patricia K. Noonan Speakers: Gail Borden Public Library District Karen Maki, Deputy Director William Blohm Carol Skelton Margaret Peebles Handouts at http://www.ila.org/events/conference.htm Frankfort Public Library Melissa Rice Presentation at http://deweyfree.com

3. Patricia K. Noonan Director of Technical Services Gail Borden Public Library District

4. Karen Maki Deputy Director Gail Borden Public Library District Some of the pictures used during Ms. Maki’s talk are courtesy of Engberg Anderson, Inc., the architect of the Rakow Branch.

5. Gail Borden Public Library Elgin, Illinois

6. Richmond Public Library Richmond, British Columbia, Canada www.yourlibrary.ca Cate McNeely Deputy Chief Librarian

7. Ballard Branch Library Seattle, Washington

8. Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library Why Do We Dewey webpage www.tscpl.org/dewey

15. William R. Blohm Reference Librarian & Collection Development Manager Gail Borden Public Library District

17. Median household income in 2005: $84,657, compared with approximately $58,497 in the entire library district

18. Median age: 32.8 years, compared with 31.7 years in the entire district

19. Median home value: $209,102, compared with $217,478 in the entire district

20. Five elementary schools

21. Del Webb Edgewater, a gated, over-55 community of more than 1,000 homes just across the road.Demographic SummaryWithin a 3-mile radius of branch

22. NONFICTION RELATIVE USE

23. Initial Subject Bay Proposal, November 2006 Six subject bays: Cookbooks (641) Self-Help (158 self-help, 650.1 personal success in business, 646 personal life, grooming, dating) Health, Diet & Exercise (613 personal health, diet & exercise, 616 diseases, possibly 618.92 pediatrics) Money (332 personal finance & investment, possibly 333 real estate ownership & management)

24. Initial Subject Bay Proposal, November 2006 Home & Garden (635 gardening, 636 pets, 643.3-643.7 remodeling, 648 house cleaning, 710 garden design & landscaping, 747 interior decorating; cookbooks could be included here, although the number of them warrants their own collection) Relationships (306 marriage & family relationships, 646.77 dating could also go here)

25. 28 nonfiction categories For example: Food and Fitness, Pets, Arts and Crafts, Do-It-Yourself, That’s Entertainment!, etc. 10 fiction categories For Example: Thriller, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery, Horror, Inspirational, etc. Final Adult Subject Bay Categories

29. Carol Skelton Youth Services Collection Manager Gail Borden Public Library District

58. Margaret Peebles Director of Branch ServicesGail Borden Public Library District Rakow Branch

59. Customer Response…

61. A Browser-Friendly Collection

62. People like to find their favorite genre.

63. And easily locate their interests.

70. SUCCESS!

71. Melissa Rice Head of Adult Services Frankfort Public Library District

72. Questions? Gail Borden Public Library District Karen Maki, Deputy Director William Blohm Carol Skelton Margaret Peebles Handouts at http://www.ila.org/events/conference.htm Frankfort Public Library Melissa Rice Presentation at http://deweyfree.com