One thought about this: if we used more user focused shelving systems, would it be easier for folks to find things they don’t want to ask for?
This is making the rounds on social media.
Inspiration: Nervous About Asking…
Written by Michael Stephens
Sparkle Heart
- Liam Larkin
- Timothy Burton Goodwillie
- Caitlin Vaille
- Sophie Brubaker
- Alisha Acosta
Sparkle Heart
- Liam Larkin
- Timothy Burton Goodwillie
- Caitlin Vaille
- Sophie Brubaker
- Alisha Acosta
Thumbs
- Inner Child Librarian
- Lauren Williams
Hug
Sparkle Heart
- Liam Larkin
- Timothy Burton Goodwillie
- Caitlin Vaille
- Sophie Brubaker
- Alisha Acosta
Hug
Hushed
Sparkle Heart
- Liam Larkin
- Timothy Burton Goodwillie
- Caitlin Vaille
- Sophie Brubaker
- Alisha Acosta
Sparkle Heart
- Liam Larkin
- Timothy Burton Goodwillie
- Caitlin Vaille
- Sophie Brubaker
- Alisha Acosta
Thumbs
- Inner Child Librarian
- Lauren Williams
Sparkle Heart
- Liam Larkin
- Timothy Burton Goodwillie
- Caitlin Vaille
- Sophie Brubaker
- Alisha Acosta
Sparkle Heart
- Liam Larkin
- Timothy Burton Goodwillie
- Caitlin Vaille
- Sophie Brubaker
- Alisha Acosta
Sparkle Heart
- Liam Larkin
- Timothy Burton Goodwillie
- Caitlin Vaille
- Sophie Brubaker
- Alisha Acosta
Thumbs
- Inner Child Librarian
- Lauren Williams
Sparkle Heart
- Liam Larkin
- Timothy Burton Goodwillie
- Caitlin Vaille
- Sophie Brubaker
- Alisha Acosta
Sparkle Heart
- Liam Larkin
- Timothy Burton Goodwillie
- Caitlin Vaille
- Sophie Brubaker
- Alisha Acosta
9 thoughts on “Inspiration: Nervous About Asking…”
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I like how visible this looks! And, one suggestion for improving something like this could be “take a photo or take a flyer” at the bottom so an individual has more discreet options of viewing the dewey decimal suggestions. There’s value in how big and public the display looks, and there’s value in giving the individual discreet ways to reference this display without feeling uncomfortable to stand in front of the display for too long.
Isabella, I like your idea of providing this as a printed flyer for patrons who may not want to be seen standing in front of a sign for too long. Aldore also suggested providing this information in the form of a bookmark which is another great way to provide this information to patrons in a more discreet form. As someone who works reference, patrons tend to be reluctant asking for help finding books on these topics so I think these are all great ways to better meet our patrons at where they may be while still providing them the information they need!
I really like this idea! It also think it brings awareness to patrons that the library has books of all topics. For example, a teenager may be having issues with bullying at school and not even know that the library has books that could help them with that. I also think @innerchildlibrarian has a great idea with the flyers which would add a bit more privacy.
This is such a good idea! This to me is more powerful than a book display. It empowers browsing behavior in these topics within the stacks while allowing patrons to looks for books discreetly.
@innerchildlibrarian @littlelibrarian @Christina thank you for sharing all of your thoughts. I like the idea of a handy take it with you flyer that includes all of this information…anything we can do to lessen library anxiety and get people the information they need. It’s so important.
This is a great idea! I think if this were implemented, there could also be a smaller bookmark version that patrons can take with them into to the stacks for quick reference, and they also have a physical version to keep for the future.
@aldya Agree. Somebody might even take a few of those bookmark type things to give to friends who might also benefit.
I think this is a great idea! As everyone said before, this would help ease discomfort in asking about these matters directly. I also like @aldya ‘s idea to make a bookmark version. I remember my school librarian teaching us the DDC system back in middle school and this also feels like a neat way to learn it organically for those who never received that instruction or need a refresher.
@damien Agree. I don’t know how much instruction there is these days in school library on how libraries are organized. The move to bookstore models and other classification systems beyond Dewey also makes it interesting.