HOW TO LOCATE MATERIALS IN THE LIBRARY

Our library is organized much the same as a public library, with books labeled according to the Dewey decimal classification system.  Reading levels are posted on signs above the bookcases.  Within each reading level, fiction books are grouped together and non-fiction books are grouped together, as follows:

Easy (or children’s) non-fiction and fiction books are designated with an “E”.  Picture books are in this category.  These books are located on the south wall of the library by the windows and in the 3 book carts by the children’s table.  They are shelved in the same manner as adult non-fiction and fiction (see below).

Junior non-fiction and fiction selected for children up through the 4th grade are designated with a “J” or “JF”.  They are located in two bookcases in the corner next to the children’s section, and are mainly chapter books and shorter stories. They are organized in the same manner as adult non-fiction and fiction (see below).

Youth non-fiction and fiction selected for grades 5 and up are designated with a “Y”, and include chapter books, books for intermediate and advanced readers, and books on a variety of subjects relating to teen and young adult life.  These materials are located in the bookcase next to the junior book section.  They are organized in the same manner as adult non-fiction and fiction (see below).

            NOTE for families of Junior and Youth Readers: As each child’s interests and reading abilities will vary, there may be some readers who prefer the books in one of these two locations over those in the other. We encourage children and their parents to explore the Junior and Youth books to see what is offered, and to choose what suits them best.

Adult non-fiction books are located in the middle section of the library shelves.  These books are shelved first by Dewey decimal number, and then by the first two letters of the author’s last name (ex., 649.1 Do for a book on parenting by James Dobson).  A sign with a guide to assist you in finding common non-fiction subjects is located on a bookshelf in this section.

Adult fiction books are designated with an “F”.  These books are located in bookcases on the wall opposite the windows.  All books are shelved alphabetically by the author’s last name (ex., F Wi for a work of fiction by author Lori Wick).

Large Print books are designated with “LP”.  These books are located on a cart near the windows in the library.

Reference books are designated with an “R”.  They are located on the shelves behind the library desk, and are organized in the same manner as Adult non-fiction.

Videotapes and DVDs for children are located on a cart next to the children’s books.  Videos and DVDs for adults are located on a lower shelf at the end of the nonfiction section.  Parenting videos are located on the shelf above the youth book section.   

New adult fiction and non-fiction books are located on a mobile bookshelf by the library desk.