Is Dewey Outdated?

Melville Dewey invented the system we all grew up with to best utilize our public library--the Dewey Decimal system.

The Dewey system is the numerical ordering paradigm upon which most public libraries organize. It is a useful tool to help you and me find the books we want, without scouring the stacks for hours on end.

Nowadays, Barnes and Noble (and other chains) is a direct competitor to the local library, so much so that the New York Times is running a story about how one system in Arizona is ditching Dewey in favor of more of a "bookstore" feel.

There will always be value in the Dewey system. I'm don't have a point of view on its future. It has been useful to me.

To a broader point, however, I think our public library systems can learn from the "Barnes and Noble" model. I find the B&N I frequent a better resource for material than my local library (and I have to pay at B&N!!). That's the impact of marketing.

My local library recently renovated, and the improvements are very good! My kids love it. But I was struck that I prefer the bookstore as a resource. Dewey is not dead, and local libraries will continue to play relevant, resourceful role into the future. But the increasing sophistication of the internet and the revenue that chain bookstores bring to the table are likely confounding to the public library systems that feel outgunned and out-financed.

We'll see how the experiment in Arizona works out.

Interestingly enough, it is highly likely that the B&N's of the world will come and go, but I'm pretty sure my local library is around for the long-haul.

Which do you prefer? Your public library or the B&N?