By Ann Zydek
Warsaw Community Public Library

It is natural to the human mind to classify everything.

Since the beginning of time, people gathered around a storyteller to hear stories as they tried to make sense of the world. Unique creatures and unknown things were blended in with local values, beliefs, histories and experiences. Most stories were never written down. Yet some written myths, folktales and religious texts survived and ended up in private collections or early libraries.

Today, people also encounter things they have never seen before, but classification systems help people recognize and sort things like birds, animals, storms, countries, peoples, life experiences and stories. Up until the late 19th century, libraries grouped books by bookcases or shelves. Librarians noted the book’s position on the shelf rather than subject content. Libraries had “closed” access. Visitors could not browse the stacks. Books were requested by readers, and library staff retrieved them. The librarian was key to identifying books of interest.

Today, libraries primarily use subject headings to classify resources. Starting with Melvil Dewey’s Decimal Classification in 1876, all the general classification systems and major subject headings came into existence in about 40 years. Librarians were key organizers of knowledge and classification standards. To locate material on a given topic, each library item had subject content identified and recorded. Libraries moved to “open” access with library visitors browsing the shelves and selecting their own books. Automation improved access greatly.

Many readers know their areas of interest within fiction and nonfiction. Magical and supernatural elements not existing in the real world are considered fantasy, such as C.S. Lewis’ “The Chronicles of Narnia” and J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” novels. Many believe modern fantasy started with Scottish George MacDonald’s novel “Phantases” and Englishman William Morris’ novel “The Well at the World’s End.” J.R.R. Tolkien is considered the father of modern fantasy. His epic novels, “The Lord of the Rings,” moved the fantasy genre into the mainstream, especially with successful movie tie-ins. Readers who like being immersed in imagined worlds should explore library “SF” collections which feature science fiction and fantasy.