How do the Zones work?

People have been asking about our non-fiction Zones. The idea behind the zones is to group recreational or popular non-fiction together in one area, rather than have it spread out in different areas of the library. For example, the Children and Parenting Zone has materials in it from the 150, 300 and 600 Dewey classifications. Traditionally, these items would have been spread out around the library building - the Zones are an attempt to bring them all together.

More academic, or "study" materials are still in their traditional Dewey number order, in the main non-fiction section of the library.

Many libraries are trying different ways of organising their collections these days, to try to meet the changing needs of our customers. The Dewey classification system can be confusing for many people, and while it works well for academic libraries it doesn't always work for a modern public library. Hopefully the Zones allow people to sit and browse through all the books and magazines in the area they are interested in. And they have a great view of the park!

At present our Zones are: Technology, which includes computers and machines of all kinds; Arts, Crafts and Hobbies, which is pretty much as it sounds; Body, Mind and Spirit, including self-help, exercise and matters spiritual; Children and Parenting; Travel, and lastly, Biographies.

What do you think of our Zones? Do you like them? Hate them? Didn't know they existed? Let us know in comments.