Hi All,
We instruct students in how to search our OPAC (Destiny) to find all types of library resources by keyword, author, title, subject and series, including fiction books. We also show them how to access public resource lists in Destiny, which include the digital lists of all books within each genre category.
When doing reader advisory for quarterly independent reading activities at the beginning of the year, we teach our genre collection using a Slides presentation, discussing all the genres, sub genres and collections in the physical library.
I understand the hesitation to genrefy and color-code books in libraries; it’s not a perfect system. Generally, we’ve found it to more easily help connect kids with books they’d prefer to read.
Mike McKenna, MLS, M.Ed.
Library Media Specialist
Simsbury High School
34 Farms Village Road
Simsbury, CT 06070
mmckenna@simsburyschools.net
(860) 658-0451 x. 161
Joe Townsley Virtual Library
From: Finnegan, Kristen [mailto:kfinnegan@lauraltonhall.org]
Sent: Wednesday, December 18, 2019 12:28 PM
To: STEPHANIE PATTERSON; Mr. McKenna; Gail Nelson
Cc: casl-l@mylist.net
Subject: Re: [CASL-L] Genrefying Fiction Collection??
My students use the catalog to find non-fiction titles, e-books, and reference titles.
For fiction, they prefer to browse as if they were in a bookstore. They see a title or cover that catches their eye, leaf through it, and replace it (if they don't want to read it) or borrow it if they do.
From: CASL-L <casl-l-bounces@mylist.net> on behalf of STEPHANIE PATTERSON <spatterson@southingtonschools.org>
Sent: Wednesday, December 18, 2019 12:20 PM
To: Mr. McKenna <mmckenna@simsburyschools.net>; Gail Nelson <gwnelson100@gmail.com>
Cc: casl-l@mylist.net <casl-l@mylist.net>
Subject: Re: [CASL-L] Genrefying Fiction Collection??
For genrefying HS, was there any talk about teaching them to use the catalog to find titles? We have categorized in the catalog and taught a few groups how to browse that way.
I wonder about the example we set when we color code things for HS students.
Stephanie Patterson
Southington High School Library
"Building character with critical thinking, creativity,
collaboration and communication."
tel: 860.628.3229 x 11335
From: CASL-L <casl-l-bounces@mylist.net> on behalf of Mr. McKenna <mmckenna@simsburyschools.net>
Sent: Wednesday, December 18, 2019 11:12 AM
To: Gail Nelson <gwnelson100@gmail.com>
Cc: casl-l@mylist.net <casl-l@mylist.net>
Subject: Re: [CASL-L] Genrefying Fiction Collection??
Morning All!
We genrefied our HS fiction collection a few years ago and have had a generally positive experience with it. Those in support of it say it's easier to find books they like, for us to promote, display and book talk titles, and our fiction circulation saw marginal increases as well. Those opposed claim there are either not enough specific categories or that they don’t think books should be categorized by content.
Our genres are color-coded and shelved together:
· Adventure
· Classics
· Fantasy
· Historical
· Multicultural [being re-absorbed into other collections, based on diversity feedback]
· Mystery
· Realistic
· Romance
· Science Fiction
· Sports
· Supernatural
· Suspense
Each has it’s own list of subgenres below signage; too many to list J Hope this helps; happy holidays!
Mike McKenna, MLS, M.Ed.
Library Media Specialist
Simsbury High School
34 Farms Village Road
Simsbury, CT 06070
(860) 658-0451 x. 161
Joe Townsley Virtual Library
-----Original Message-----
From: CASL-L [mailto:casl-l-bounces+mmckenna=simsburyschools.net@mylist.net] On Behalf Of casl-l-request@mylist.net
Sent: Wednesday, December 18, 2019 10:41 AM
To: casl-l@mylist.net
Subject: CASL-L Digest, Vol 5, Issue 360
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