Every now and then, it may be of interest knowing some of the background work that goes into curating, organizing and activating a collection of resources in the library. This recount is a quick spotlight on how the ES Library reorganized the fiction collection [8039 copies] & Picture Book Collection [6520 copies] to help students locate ‘good fit’ books.
‘Genrefication’ is a term used in school libraries to categorize books into collections of like genres (see list of Genres below).
WAB ES Library took on this task several years ago. It was not a flippant decision. It involved much discussion, planning and execution. Sometimes school libraries hesitate to go down this path as it somehow compromises the traditional Dewey system of library organization (originally designed for adults). By offering an alternative, ‘new’ (radical – sometimes thrown around!) way of sorting and organizing in libraries is also meeting the diverse and ever-changing needs of the user in the current climate of learning.
Genrefication can be a very lengthy process, yet at WAB we are fortunate to have very well staffed libraries. As such we were able to genrefy the entire fiction collection in four weeks – including processing each title with relevant genre labels, signage and adjusting catalogue entries. Many titles can also ‘fit’ across several Genre. Fortunately, we are able to have multiple copies which sit in multiple genres. Students still use the catalogue to locate favourite authors across genre and searching for interest areas outside the 12 chosen genres.
Positives in the process of genrefying the ES fiction (and later Picture Book) collection enabled us to:
In the quest to shape information literate students (able to locate books is part of this), genrefication allowed them to go directly to areas of interest. So often in libraries, traditional fiction collections (organized A-Z by author surname), we witness students just wondering through the shelves, randomly selecting books, more than not, disappointed with their ‘lucky-dip’ selection. Unless a student knows authors specifically, it becomes an often-deflating experience in browsing the bookshelves aimlessly.
Some MOST Popular Titles
However, like in video/record stores of yesteryear and department store signage nowadays, clearly labelled signs of genres are a relief to so many students. They can navigate the collection with a greater sense of authority, autonomy and experience success, rather than failure, with their search and choices. Library staff are always there to field questions, offer recommendations and assist in deeper dives into locating books. Nonetheless, it is nice to see student self-satisfaction with their ‘good fit’ recreational reading choices made all by themselves.
For us it was definitely the correct decision to go down the genrefication path! As former President of the American Association of School Librarians [AASL] commented on whether to genrefy or not, he said: “I really try not to come down on any one side,” but then added, “I just think that I’ve not seen people that’ve gone to genrefication then go back.”
Cornwall, Gail. “How Genrefication Makes School Libraries More like Bookstores.” KQED, 22 July 2018,
Take a look at ES Fiction and Picture Book Genres (named below) by doing a SEARCH
Soon there will be a collation and consolidation of all Libraries’ Genres for easier searching and access. You will be able to select ‘Adventure’ and then
select which library ES MS HS you would like to search...
Further Reading
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