In one of my classes we were discussing whether a library should approach its shelves and its website as a bookstore might. Some students say that it’s more user-friendly and less intimidating than the Dewey Decimal System, and that it might increase the chances of customers browsing instead of looking for one particular book. Others say that while it might be user-friendly, it forces customers to browse when they might not have the time to do so. Books are harder to find in places like Borders because the store is so big and isn’t kept in very good order. Both arguments are valid, and I’d be interested to see how this idea works in real life.
The professor offered a couple of links:
Article about Gilbert Library dropping Dewey.
Phoenix Public Library’s webpage, designed to look like a bookstore’s site.
