Librarian Thoughts: Native American Books and the Dewey Decimal System

For several years, I've been weeding our nonfiction collection and trying to make it browsing easier for the patron by changing the Dewey Decimal Numbers. Our collection is NOT large but no one wants to go to three different places on the shelf looking for books about Castles. So I've moved the call numbers and grouped them together in the most helpful place (IMHO) on the shelf.

But I could never figure out how to change the Native American books - until now. I've been seriously thinking about this problem for months. All the of the Native American books have the same call number and it's not a logical call number to me for so many books. As the pandemic hit, I came up with the solution on who to ask.

I work close to the casinos in Connecticut. The Pequot Museum is amazing. I've been there twice and I'm looking forward to going back. 

Best of all, they have a library. So I was going to go and talk with the librarians there and ask their recommendations (and I still am, once it's safe.)

But I recently purchased this book from Abdo

and I was trying to figure out where to place it. I purchase many of my JR nonfiction from Abdo because their website gives you the Guided Reading Letters (which my library uses). When looking up those letters for other books, I notice Abdo's website includes a Dewey call number.

I have to be honest, I look at most of these Dewey call numbers as suggestions. But this one didn't make sense to me (and it still doesn't). The call number they suggested was 975.004

Which I then looked up on Library Thing and it's the number for South Eastern US (975) - I couldn't figure out the .004

But it made me think - why am I not putting Native American tribe books in the state books. 

I put the National Parks books in the with corresponding states. There are books about significant matters that happened in the states with the state books. (Chicago Fire)

 This way, someone won't have to search through all the books looking for the two books on the same Native American tribe that aren't next to each other on the shelf (a pet peeve.)

So...that's my new plan.

Native American tribal books will be moved to their states/regions. 

I'm not sure why it took me so long to realize this...but I'm glad because it's logical to me.

* While it's easier to find Own Voices fiction (Especially with the new imprint), it's harder to find nonfiction. But the good news is Dr. Debbie Reese and Jean Mendoza came up with a list!

I know I'm going to be ordering some new books.

** Here's a quick picture I made for work about choosing different books that the Little House books.

Thoughts?? Where are your book on Native Americans shelved?

Review: Starfish

 

Ellie's so tired of everyone not seeing her and only seeing her weight. She wishes she had support, but even her family criticizes and teases her.  To make matters worse, her best friend moves away. Ellie has her father, but even he turns on her, bringing her to a therapist. 

Ellie shares with the therapist her Fat Girl Rules - the rules she tries to live by. She just wants to live without shame, without ridicule, and with love. Is that really too much to ask?

My Thoughts: I heard really great things about this book - and it did not disappoint. I loved it! 

Some quick thoughts: 

* I wanted to hug Ellie so tight

* I loved her new friend Catalina (and how she made Ellie realize that everyone has their own fight to fight)

* I loved that the library (and the librarian) was her safe place

* I loved the moments with the therapist and how she worked with Ellie to understand her feelings

* I loved the mental health aspect

* I loved that this book is a novel in verse

* I really didn't like Ellie's mother (but I did understand her)

* Her siblings weren't great either (most of the time)

* I loved the new shop her father took her to

* Her father was great!

* I loved how Ellie just wanted to be herself and not be defined by her weight - a great look at weight and children (especially girls) and how damaging it is to value thinness above all else. 

* Debut novel  - I can't wait to see what Lisa Fipps writes next 

Cover Thoughts: Perfect

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your school and public libraries.

Picture Book Wednesday: Simon and the Art Museum

 

Simon and his parents are at the art museum. Looking at ALL the art. Simon is bored but his parents aren't ready to leave...

I really enjoyed this book about art museums. I felt for Simon. He was bored but he solved his problems by becoming art, people watching, and eating cheesecake. This is a great introduction to museums for kids. Plus the art work was fun.

Cover Thoughts: Cute - captures the book perfectly

Library Recommendation: A great picture book for your library collection

More museum books:

Top Ten Tuesday: Colorful Cover

 This week's topic is all about colorful covers. And I'm going with the cheery yellow. Yellow for sunshine. These are upcoming/recently released books that I'm looking forward to reading!

  

   

 

Review: Stowed Away

 

* Book 6 in the Maine Clambake Mystery series *

Julia and her family are getting ready for tourist season in Maine. When an old acquaintance arrives to help look at the family homestead, Julia isn't thrilled to see her old rival. But Wyatt is happy to see Julia. She invites Julia, Chris, and Quentin for dinner on her boyfriend's yacht. Her boyfriend is a reclusive billionaire who rarely shows his face.

After a pleasant dinner, the group goes their own way. But the next day, tragedy strikes. Wyatt calls Julia with the news that Geoffrey is dead - murdered. Quinten and Wyatt ask for Julia's help. She can't really say no, but she wishes she could. 

Instead, Julia pokes around Geoffrey's life and undercover that everything that glitters isn't gold...

My Thoughts: I adore this series - but fell behind reading it. I'm happy to be back. I love spending time in this small Maine town with great food, lots of friends, and of course murder. This book shared so much about the characters pasts. From Julia and her time in high school to Chris and his family to Quentin - who has been a closed book most of the time. It's nice to delve more into characters' lives. Of course the murder was entertaining and no, I didn't see the twist coming.  Another great addition to series.

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: Purchased while on vacation in Maine

Library Recommendation: A great cozy series for your library's collection

Book List: Jane Austen Inspired YA

If you've been reading the blog the past few days, you know that I've been talking about my love for Jane Austen inspired books.

We talked about historical and modern. 

And of course I couldn't NOT talk about YA books.

Here are a few favorites - but there are others out there!

Book List:

Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg

Heartstone by Elle Katharine White

A Taste for Love by Jennifer Yeb

Jane Austen Goes to Hollywood by Abby McDonald

Pride by Ibi Zoboi

Pride and Premonition by Tirzah Price

Not Pictured:

Epic Fail by Claire Lazebnik

Sass and Serendipity by Jennifer Ziegler 

The Next Great Jane by K.L. Going (Middle Grade)

The Season by Sarah MacLean

Dangerous Alliance by Jennifer Cohen

Interference by Kay Honeyman

I Was Jane Austen's Best Friend by Cora Harrison

The Season by Jonah Lisa Dyer 

Do you love Jane Austen as much as I do, what else would you recommend to read?

 

Book List: Jane Austen Modern Fiction

Yesterday I talked about historical fiction inspired Jane Austen. But of course, I love the modern adaptations too and I didn't want to leave those out.

So...

Here is another booklist:

Writing Jane Austen by Elizabeth Aston

A Weekend with Mr. Darcy by Victoria Connelly (I accidentally read book 2 first)

Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors by Sonali Dev (Recipe for Persuasion is the 2nd book and equally charming)

Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding (maybe my first fanfiction)

Austenland by Shannon Hale

The Dashwood Sisters Tell All by Beth Pattillo (Currently checked out from the library)

What else would you add to this list?

Come back tomorrow for a look at YA Jane Austen books!