“Genrefication” is the term used to describe arranging a library according to the genre as opposed to the classic organising of fiction/non-fiction according to the Dewey system. Genrefication is more like the way a book shop is organised.

My initial thought when I heard about genrefication was that I didn’t like it. I pictured myself as a child and wondered if I wouldn’t go straight to the one section that I was comfortable with (anything to do with dogs or horses!) and never even look at the other sections. I imagine that as I got older I would have then stuck to the section I perceived as “cool” and never looked at the other sections. My initial thought was that forcing kids to look through everything to find what they wanted was the best way to force them to see and perhaps become interested in other books.

However, after reading through “How Genrefication Makes School Libraries More Like Bookstores” (Cornwall, 2018) I am really starting to see some of the benefits of genrefication. According to the article, it cuts out the frustration for kids in finding books they are likely to enjoy, particularly students with additional languages or disabilities. It seems that borrowing has increased in the places where it has been implemented and that those who have gone to genrefication don’t return to the old system.

A major preventer in other libraries converting to genrefication seems to be the required hours to relabel and convert their libraries. I wonder if each semester one section (sci-fi, humour, etc) was created if this would make it more manageable then trying to convert it all at once?

Reference

Cornwall, G. (2018, July 22). How genrefication makes school libraries more like bookstores. KQED: Mindshift. https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/51336/how-genrefication-makes-school-libraries-more-like-bookstores