My observations as a page seem to imply most such inconsistencies are data-entry errors (e.g., digit swap and off by one) rather than cataloging inconsistencies. There are also technically correct classifications which are not consistent with the collection’s historical practice or the common/likely use by patrons (one example that comes to mind was a cookbook associated with a television show being catalogued in 791 rather than 641).
I have also heard that abbreviations can be improperly expanded (without checking), leading to bizarre classifications; there is more than one organization abbreviated AMA.
One library I had a placement at had one part of a manga series in Junior, another part in YA, and a bit under Adult. Yes, they were catalogued as such. I decided to go through the collection and make a report. Yes, there were more.
I asked Google Gemini this question. Here was my prompt: Hi. Can you think of a good reason or case or situation that a book on spoons could be shelved next to a geology survey, other than it was mishelved or miscatalogued or misclassified? Here was its response (long read): That’s an excellent lateral thinking question! Beyond mis-shelving, a plausible reason for a book on spoons to be next to a geology survey is a geographical connection or a subject-specific overlap in nomenclature.
️ Geographical Connection
The most common reason for this unexpected placement is likely a geographical link where a place name related to the geology survey is the same or similar to the word “spoon.”
Place Names: A geology survey might cover an area with a name like Spoon River, Spoon Creek, or Spoon Butte. The survey’s title might be, for example, “Guide to the Geology of the Lewistown-Spoon River Area.”
Shelving System: In a library or archive that shelves its materials based on geographical classification (like a Cutter number or specific regional classification within the Library of Congress Classification), the “Spoon River” geology survey would be shelved with other books pertaining to the same region. If the “book on spoons” is actually a local history, area assessment, or regional study that discusses the town or area named “Spoon” (perhaps the history of its silverware industry), its geographical classification could place it immediately beside the geology survey for the same location.
Nomenclature Overlap (Rare)
A more obscure possibility relates to terminology where the word “spoon” is used in a geological or paleontological context.
Tool/Equipment: Although less likely for a survey, some texts might reference a specific type of mining or geological excavation tool referred to colloquially or historically as a “spoon” (for digging, sifting, etc.), and the book might focus on the history or use of such tools.
Fossil/Specimen Morphology: Very occasionally, in specific scientific literature, a term like “spoon” or “spoon-shaped” might be used to describe the morphology or shape of a geological formation, a fossil, or a mineral deposit. If the book’s title is very technical, such as “The Spoon-Shaped Ostracods of the Paleogene Era,” and the geology survey covers an area rich in such specimens, a highly specialized or idiosyncratic shelving system focusing on specific features could potentially place them together.
The most likely and documented real-world scenario is the geographical connection through a place name like the Spoon River Area mentioned in some geological surveys.
This video shows a geologist discussing his essential field kit for exploration, which can involve tools like a shovel or spoon for digging. The Geologist’s Toolkit: Ohio Geological Survey is a relevant video because it offers a look at the tools and equipment used in geological field work, one of which could conceivably be a “spoon” for sampling.
8 thoughts on “991”
Andy Miller
Foyles in London used to shelve books by publisher. It was a strange shop in those days.
Gene Ambaum
I’ve visited French comic shops like that — very hard to navigate.
Chuk
I love Foyles (haven’t been to the new one yet though).
Chris Jordan
I think it is Kinokuniya in the US that shelves manga by publisher. Challenging.
Paul A. Clayton
My observations as a page seem to imply most such inconsistencies are data-entry errors (e.g., digit swap and off by one) rather than cataloging inconsistencies. There are also technically correct classifications which are not consistent with the collection’s historical practice or the common/likely use by patrons (one example that comes to mind was a cookbook associated with a television show being catalogued in 791 rather than 641).
I have also heard that abbreviations can be improperly expanded (without checking), leading to bizarre classifications; there is more than one organization abbreviated AMA.
notStanley
what about by colour, then spine height?
BN
One library I had a placement at had one part of a manga series in Junior, another part in YA, and a bit under Adult. Yes, they were catalogued as such. I decided to go through the collection and make a report. Yes, there were more.
Jeff
I asked Google Gemini this question. Here was my prompt: Hi. Can you think of a good reason or case or situation that a book on spoons could be shelved next to a geology survey, other than it was mishelved or miscatalogued or misclassified? Here was its response (long read): That’s an excellent lateral thinking question! Beyond mis-shelving, a plausible reason for a book on spoons to be next to a geology survey is a geographical connection or a subject-specific overlap in nomenclature.
️ Geographical Connection
The most common reason for this unexpected placement is likely a geographical link where a place name related to the geology survey is the same or similar to the word “spoon.”
Place Names: A geology survey might cover an area with a name like Spoon River, Spoon Creek, or Spoon Butte. The survey’s title might be, for example, “Guide to the Geology of the Lewistown-Spoon River Area.”
Shelving System: In a library or archive that shelves its materials based on geographical classification (like a Cutter number or specific regional classification within the Library of Congress Classification), the “Spoon River” geology survey would be shelved with other books pertaining to the same region. If the “book on spoons” is actually a local history, area assessment, or regional study that discusses the town or area named “Spoon” (perhaps the history of its silverware industry), its geographical classification could place it immediately beside the geology survey for the same location.
Nomenclature Overlap (Rare)
A more obscure possibility relates to terminology where the word “spoon” is used in a geological or paleontological context.
Tool/Equipment: Although less likely for a survey, some texts might reference a specific type of mining or geological excavation tool referred to colloquially or historically as a “spoon” (for digging, sifting, etc.), and the book might focus on the history or use of such tools.
Fossil/Specimen Morphology: Very occasionally, in specific scientific literature, a term like “spoon” or “spoon-shaped” might be used to describe the morphology or shape of a geological formation, a fossil, or a mineral deposit. If the book’s title is very technical, such as “The Spoon-Shaped Ostracods of the Paleogene Era,” and the geology survey covers an area rich in such specimens, a highly specialized or idiosyncratic shelving system focusing on specific features could potentially place them together.
The most likely and documented real-world scenario is the geographical connection through a place name like the Spoon River Area mentioned in some geological surveys.
This video shows a geologist discussing his essential field kit for exploration, which can involve tools like a shovel or spoon for digging. The Geologist’s Toolkit: Ohio Geological Survey is a relevant video because it offers a look at the tools and equipment used in geological field work, one of which could conceivably be a “spoon” for sampling.
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