Organization of Information & Public Libraries

Books line the shelves at a public library.

Users unfamiliar with a library might feel overwhelmed trying to find information until they understand how the library is organized. Patrons use the library's catalog (a searchable listing of all the materials the library contains) to find a call number. "A call number is like an address: it tells us where the book is located in the library," says the Honolulu Community College Library. Public libraries include a variety of materials, including books, multimedia items and periodicals.

Organization of Non-Fiction Books

Non-fiction books relay information.

Non-fiction books contain true or factual information about a topic. According to National Public Radio, 95 percent of public libraries use the Dewey Decimal System to organize their books. Melvil Dewey created a system that assigns a range of numbers to 10 major subject areas. Within each area, more specific numbers signal subtopics. For example, the number range 700-799 relates to arts and leisure activities, and the call number 743 is used for books about drawing. After the Dewey Decimal number, the call number of a non-fiction book will include letters from the author's last name to further sort the books.

Organization of Fiction Books

Fiction books contain imaginative stories.

Fiction books are imaginative stories. Some libraries have one fiction section, while others have various sections based on the genre of the book (such as western, romance, or science fiction). The library will use a set of letters in the call number to show that the book is fiction (such as "Fic" for general fiction), followed by letters of the author's last name. Some libraries use the first three letters of the author's last name, while larger libraries use the whole last name.

Organization of Multimedia Items

Music and movies can be found in public libraries.

Libraries offer more than books; most also carry music, movies, computer software and more. Libraries organize this items by media type, shelving all DVDs together, for example. Within a section, the library will sort non-fiction multimedia items by the Dewey Decimal System, and fictional items by author's last name. For example, a documentary about the Civil War will be in the DVD section of the library, with a call number in the 900s, which relates to history.

Organization of Periodicals

Magazines are a type of periodical.

Most libraries also carry newspapers, magazines and journals. Some maintain only current copies, while other libraries save years of back issues. Periodicals will have a call number to signify that they are periodicals. Some libraries use the prefix "Per" or simply put "Magazine" above the call number. Then, the periodicals are sorted by title or by topic. Large libraries may use the Dewey Decimal system for certain magazines and journals.

Organization of Digital Information

Public libraries provide access to digital information.

In addition to the physical materials on the shelves of the public library, most libraries also offer patrons access to digital information. Most of this information is maintained in topical databases. Libraries pay subscription fees so users can have access to a variety of databases. To locate information in a database, patrons can type keywords into a database's search engine. Then, the patron can read or print the information.

References

• National Public Radio: Arizona Library Shuns Dewey System
• Monroe County Public Library: How to Use the Dewey Decimal System
• Honolulu Community College Library: Understanding Call Numbers