Left-to-right, interleaving all rows; from the National
Library of Sweden, unless otherwise noted:
Maria Jansson, Eva Abrahamsson, Ingrid Berg, Anna Wallin, Tuija Drake (Stockholm University Library), Harriet Aagaard (Stockholm Public Library),
Viveka Norström Hallberg, Olof Osterman, Magdalena Svanberg, Ann Tobin, Pia
Leth, Madeleine Primmer, Kerstin Assarsson Rizzi, Pär Öberg, Anders Cato, Thomas Lindström (Göteborgs
University Library), Viktoria Lundborg, Joakim Philipson,
Helene Stenberg (Umeå University Library), Unn
Hellsten; missing from photo: Jamshid Farahani, Pia Bodå (Uppsala University Library)
As previously noted (see here and here), the
National Library of Sweden has spearheaded a movement among libraries in Sweden
to switch from the use of the Klassifikationssystem
för svenska bibliotek, commonly referred to as the SAB, to the use of
the Dewey Decimal Classification. In
consequence of the National Library’s decision, the Swedish Library Association
recommended that all libraries in Sweden consider adoption of the DDC; among
those who have already decided to do so are all the major academic libraries. (For more on the switch, see Magdalena
Svanberg’s 2009 paper presented at the IFLA satellite meeting, “Looking at
the Past and Preparing for the Future.”)
Presently, work on developing a mixed translation of the DDC in Swedish and English is nearing completion, and the Dewey Project team
is planning how to provide DDC training throughout Sweden. Part of their recent preparation included a
week-long training course, using the basic course modules from the Dewey
training site (more PowerPoint presentations and exercises will soon be mounted
there; watch this space for announcements of their availability). As the training presenter, I was deeply encouraged
to see the level of understanding demonstrated by those taking the training,
especially by members of the Dewey Project team. Dewey is in good hands in Sweden, and we look
forward to a long history of continued cooperation.
In a finding that should surprise no one, feedback on
the training session indicated that a five-day orientation to the DDC is
probably too intense for beginners.
Optimally, the DDC learner has the opportunity to assimilate the
classification system by cycling through instruction and practice over an
extended period of time. (If you are a
professional librarian and wanting to refresh your knowledge of the DDC, we
invite you to make use of the materials on our training website.) The Dewey Project team is considering distance
education possibilities for follow-up training after providing introductory
training in face-to-face mode.
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