YA Lit Textbook ch 4 review

Chapter 4-Genres & Formats

Dr. Perry goes through information that media specialists can use when working on the now popular way of organizing libraries, Genrefying.   Graphic organizers are used to provide the listener the information in an easy to follow format. She mentions that Genrefying may not be appropriate for all libraries.  Officially there are 2 genres, fiction and nonfiction, each of those have more subcategories. The different formats in which books are written is also noted. Formats can be from the range of graphic novels, poetry, drama,novels chapter books, short stories, and picture books. Using formats to organize may not properly reach a reader. A reader may not ever learn where the type of book they are interested in is found in a library outside of their own if they aren’t explained the reasoning for the way their usual library is organized.  There are books that are of a certain genre, and sub genre, and be of different formats. A media specialist may have books that are considered a biography, which is non fiction, AND be a graphic novel. Student may look for this book in a biography section, and may grow frustrated by not finding it, because the media specialist may have placed the book in a graphic novel area. Having some of the creative labeled areas such as “Chick Lit” and “Guys Read” could be discouraging for readers. There may be books that have been labeled as such and could actually be sorted in other areas.  Using the example of the Twilight series is a way that Dr. Perry showed how a boy interested in reading the series may not be willing to read it because it is being housed in a “chick lit” section. Genrefying the library may not improve circulation, and in the end cause a reader more confusion on the types of books they are interested in .

Take Away

This is a must watch for anyone that is considering “Genrefying” a library. While some may have data to show that the circulation of books in their library has increased, the way that we speak of where the books are organized needs to be “fixed.”  When speaking in general of a genrefied library and the different areas where the books are located and how they are organized is not necessarily correct. Readers may think that there are many genres of books when in reality there is only 2 genres.  Teaching readers the way that the library is organized can’t be done without teaching them the different formats too. I am considering asking for the slides used to have when working with readers on showing them the types of books they like to read, find new interests, & possibly where they may be located in a library.  Organizing books by format may not be the best either because a media specialist may have titles they have to choose for organizing. The way that the media specialist and the reader believe that a book should be organized may differ and will cause frustration with all parties involved. Using titles such as “chick lit” and “guys read” for categorizing books in a library could be discouraging for readers, and may have students avoid certain areas to avoid embarrassment from their peers.