Basic Library Research

Fiction and Non-Fiction

 

Different libraries order their collection differently. The most important factor of organization is making sure that the order will be easy to understand for patrons.

 

In most libraries it has been found that for fiction adult and children's, alphabetization works the best. By alphabetization, the order is focused on the author. The books are organized by the last name of the author from a through z. Then if authors have the same last name, they alphabetize this section of authors by first name. If authors have published multiple books, the book titles are alphabetized within the section. Alphabetization was most likely chosen for the order, as it is a skill most anyone who knows their alphabet can acquire.

 

For non-fiction adult and children's it has been found that the Dewey Decimal System works the best. This system is most likely used because it can be ordered by subject. When doing research this is an advantage as it allows you to examine all of the books under the same topic, at the same time.

To find out more about this click here: