Because the Dewey Decimal System has been the standard method, it can be hard for some to accept alternatives. Dewey is the most commonly taught system in library science and is what library patrons are familiar with. There are a lot of complications overturning harmful systems and the above are just a few. But despite the complications, many private and public libraries have still made the switch. As the library powers that be consider making the switch, there are many different options. The X̱wi7x̱wa Library in British Columbia, for example, has taken an Indigenous approach to its catalog. The Greenwood Public Library in Indiana has devised a system the call Subject Savy. Another example is the Cumberland Library in Rhode Island, which developed its own Browse System. These are just a few of the possible options. While there are many more, some are more common than others. While the systems listed above are only a few of the options, many libraries are trying all sorts of systems. A lot of libraries are also adopting independent systems. What system does your library use? While the Library of Congress method is great for academic works, it gets very complicated in regard to fiction. An academic library rather than a public one would be best suited to the Library of Congress Method. The UDC’s similarity to the Dewey Decimal System and its adaptability make it a wonderful alternative worldwide. UDC is mostly in use in academic institutions at the moment, although it can also include public library systems. While designed for a specific school, Metis (named after the mother of Athena) is easily adaptable to the needs of any school library. This is a great system with applicable adaptations for schools and children’s sections of public libraries.
