Cataloguing and Classification

The library should be divided into fiction and non-fiction ( information) resources with all shelves and bays labelled clearly. (see section: Signs and Guiding)

Classification refers to the way in which the books are organised.

Fiction – this can be further divided into fiction and picture books and is usually arranged alphabetically by the author’s last name. It is most useful to keep works by one author together and make special changing displays of books on different themes. ( e.g. a display on India would include information books from 954 classification number; folk-tales (398.54) and fiction set in India.

Picture books are often kept in kinder boxes.

Non-fiction or information books – the standard system in use in schools, as in most British public libraries, is the Dewey Decimal Classification, which divides knowledge into 10 numbered categories.    There are simplified Dewey guides available for primary schools and these, together with training, are usually available from the Schools Library Service.    Some schools also use coloured labels to indicate broad categories – e.g. 200s Religion = Mauve, 900s  Orange = History and Geography. As well as using subject and keyword searching on the library management system, it is helpful for teachers to have alphabetical subject guides, either as booklets in the library or as a wall chart.

Cataloguing refers to the way in which the books are recorded. As this is now (almost always) on the library management system, the structure for this is provided.   It usually includes details of author, title, publisher, date, series and key words.   This data can be downloaded from a central database (see section: Library management systems) once the book’s ISBN is inputted.