Decimal Classification Division staff were as delighted by Dr. Carol Truett’s article in the latest issue of American Libraries, as they were by her actual working visit to Dewey Manor in 2005. Her flattering article entitled “Sorting Things Out” gave us a fresh perspective on our work and our working conditions. Before reading this article, most residents of Dewey Manor never really thought of their work as being “glamorous” or that there was a “glamour and excitement” to assigning DDC numbers, but DCD classifiers now have a much higher opinion of their work and their public image. Several of the classifiers have hired press agents and bodyguards (evidently Dewey paparazzi can be brutal), while others have demanded contracts that include refusal clauses regarding classification work that is not meaningful or exciting. What is more problematic for the Vicar is that the staff have demanded larger cubicles: the argument that the “Dilbert-like cubicles” at the Manor are much larger and taller than those on the rest of the Madison fifth floor just won't fly anymore!
Seriously, it was a joy working with Dr. Truett during her month-long internship and the entire DCD staff was genuinely inspired by her positive attitude and her commitment to lifelong learning as a librarian (020.7155). Under the tutelage of Cosmo Tassone (now retired after over 30 years of LC service), Dr. Truett developed professional competence in assigning full DDC numbers in the very challenging language (400) and literature (800) schedules; she also participated in editorial discussions about the emerging graphic novel genre (741.5+). What is more, she took the time to visit and learn about the work performed in other LC divisions (e.g., Cataloging-in-Publication Division and the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped), and she spent her off hours attending a variety of LC sponsored cultural activities, including a reading by the resident poet laureate of the United States and a lecture by an expert on Dashiell Hammett. Not bad for one month's stay at the Manor!
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