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List:       publib
Subject:    Re: [PubLib] genre shelving
From:       <crippel () CKLS ! ORG>
Date:       2014-10-27 20:09:35
Message-ID: LISTSERV%201410271609351640.1035 () OCLC ! ORG
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Thanks Andy for sticking up for genre shelving.

Sharon L. Baker's research in the late 1980s showed that genre shelving
increases circulation and increases circulation of lesser-known authors,
i.e., a wider range/larger-percentage of authors circulated. And the larger
the library, the greater the benefits of genre shelving. - “Will fiction
classification schemes increase use?” by Sharon L. Baker , RQ, Vol. 27, #3,
Spring 1988, pp. 336-376.

Unfortunately, assigning genres drives some librarians crazy and can lead to
fights between staff.

If this is a problem, then consider making temporary genre shelving/displays
in the front of your library. 

Set up one or more sections of shelves at the front of the library. Clearly
label which shelves are for mysteries, romance, etc. Then, through the year,
rotate your genres through these shelves. 

Don't worry about whether a mystery-romance book or a series should be
shelved in mystery or romance because this is only temporary shelving. You
can shelve the book or series under mystery one time and romance the next
time. And, afterward, the book or series will return to the regular shelves
under author's name. 

I recommend using these shelves to promote lesser-known authors. Evanovich,
Grisham, King, etc. don't need promoting. Leave books by big-named authors
on the regular fiction shelves where people will look for them. 

Temporary genre shelving also helps older fiction compete with new books
shelved at the front of the library. "In 1909, William Borden noticed
patrons browsing only the new bookshelves. He pulled “detective stories” and
historical fiction from the regular shelves and shelved them separately.
Patrons began browsing these shelves as well. Some patrons skipped the new
bookshelves altogether and browsed only the genre shelves."

Thanks for reading,

Chris Rippel
Central Kansas Library System
Great Bend, Kansas

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