3.3 Organizing a Public Library
In a public library, there are organizational standards called the Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records.
Librarians strive to organize their books in such a way that most patrons can come in and easily find what they are looking for. That is, the library has been organized so that when an individual enters the library under unique motivating operations they can find the information-related stimulus (or a set of information-related stimuli) that is most reinforcing to them at that moment.
Now imagine the range of unique individuals and motivating operations that enter a public library. Think of how the library might function under these various methods of organization:
If the public library was not organized, no one (patrons or librarians) would be able to find anything efficiently. It would be like the Ross Dress for Less of books.
If the library was organized in a way that was only known by the librarian, every patron would have to rely on the librarian to show them where to go.
Although beautiful to look at, if the library was organized by color patrons would have to know the color of the binding of the book they were looking for. What is the color of the book binding to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone?
This is a common way to organize some sections of the library. It is most efficient to find what is needed only if the patron knows the author of the book they want.
This is also a common way to organize some sections of the library. Again, it is most efficient to find what is needed only if the patron knows the subject matter covered in the book and if one book covers only one subject matter.