Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Open Yourself to the Classification.... of Tuesday Thinger!


Is it my imagination (of which I have little) or are these Tuesdays coming faster and faster? Or is it just my excitement at another Tuesday Thinger?
That must be it, because the thought that time is just going faster and faster as I get older and older and soon I will wake up in one of those hospital bed with the crack to raise the feet (who actually wants their feet higher) in a nursing home in Cleveland (and no, I have no idea how I got to Cleveland, but that is sort of the point, isn't it?).
So, before I get distracted again (oh, look! a bright, shiny object...) this weeks question, from the desk of Wendi's Book Corner...

Today's question: Prior to today, were you aware of Open Shelves Classification? Have you helped to classify any books yet? Is this something you are interested in? Did you know that if you classify any books, it will also show you who else has classified the book?

Well, yes, I was! I was catching up reading the LT blog and saw a post about it on 1/20 (which is also my sister-in-laws birthday). Page down, it said, and you will see the classifications. Pick one, be a part of the project...

Ok, let me just say that I have never understood the Dewey Decimal System. Yes, I understand the theory of it, sort of, but I, as a long time library user, have never found it of any use. I wanted a book, or a book about something, or a type of book, and I looked it up in the card catalog...yes, I am that old that I used libraries pre-computer when we used actual paper cards in a BIG file cabinets of cute little drawers filled with little paper cards. Well, anyhoo, it would have a number and I would go off to find the number. But the principle, what those number meant, I had no idea. And didn't care. I figure it was some sort of insider librarian joke.

And to tell you the truth...again...I really am not sure what the point of this Open Shelves Classification is. But it speaks to my inner OCD. I love classifications and I am willing to help...just because it is tidy. So, ever time I look at a book in my library, I try to remember to go down to the bottom of the page and pick a classification for it.

Ok, one thing I really do not get about OSC. There are like 45 'top-level categories'. One for fiction and poetry...and all the rest for non-fiction. Does that seem fair?


6 comments:

  1. I know! I really wanted there to be more categories for fiction. It's totally unfair!

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  2. I find that totally boring and not very informative at all so I have to agree. Everything I read goes into one category-and thrown together with poetry no less-as if non-fiction is important and all fiction and poetry is just something that doesn't fit in anywhere.

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  3. There is much discussion in the Open Shelves Classification group about the sub-groups of fiction...but I totally don't get the way those top levels are set up.

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  4. I've sort of found the whole OSC thing a bit confusing. But maybe that's because I'm not a real librarian. I just use LT to catalog my own private library, so the question of classifications hasn't really bothered me. Of course, now it will!

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  5. not only am I not a librarian, I don't even play one on TV!

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  6. Oh - I used to love those little wooden drawers! What I wouldn't give to get my hands on an old one to use for something around the house. I remember those cards well!

    I was disappointed to see only one general category for fiction and poetry. I actually left them a comment suggesting a few more fiction categories!

    Thanks for stopping by and participating in Thingers last week! I've got this weeks post up now! ~ Wendi

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please speak up, I LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!!