What is Happening to Dewey?

You may have noticed changes in the stacks recently. In some areas, old familiar Dewey is completely missing. Where is it going? It is being replaced with Natural Language Classifying (Natlac for short), something we have kind of invented. Basically it is translating the number system into the words that the numbers represent. It is a relative of the more familiar BISAC system used in libraries and bookstores, but a new twist.

So why bother? Well, Dewey is a terrific classification system - a hundred years ago. But times change, and Dewey doesn't like change. People want a book on cooking, or computers, or traveling to Rome - so why not make it possible to just find all the books labeled cooking, computers, traveling to Rome? Why confuse with those mysterious decimals that are really disguised fractions - and we all had trouble with fractions! Natlac is easier and much more intuitive.

Also, the structure of Dewey separates books that really are more useful side-by-side. Why should garden design be somewhere in the 700's and gardening in the 600's? Why should Photoshop manuals be way down in the 000's and photography is up in the 700's? We couldn't come up with a good reason why, and decided to make the change - and so Natlac was born.

Right now we are about 1/3 of the way through, and picking up speed fast. Hopefully by mid-2014 we will be all done with the relabeling and can move on to rearranging. Yes more change, but the final step. When we are done rearranging, even broadly related books will all be together in a neighborhood. Travel books will be right next to language books - isn't that most of the reason to learn a language? All the various and sundry hobbies, crafts, etc. will all be together, and then right next to sports and recreation - after all, aren't these all resources for finding and enhancing enjoyable pastimes?

So give us a little more time, and I think you will be really delighted at the outcome. And if you are confused at the moment - just ask one of us. We are ready as always to take you right to the book you want.