Dear library history scholars and enthusiasts,
I recently received a question from acclaimed children's book author Melissa Stewart related to some research she is doing. Is anyone out there able to help or refer her to some sources that might help? Her question is below:
"I'm currently doing some research on the history of nonfiction. Several librarians have told me that after the DDC was implemented in most libraries in the late 1800s/very early 1900s, patrons repeatedly asked for assistance in finding a good story, so librarians responded by removing the novels and short stories from the rest of the 800s to create a separate fiction section. Everything left behind was called "nonfiction" even though it included folktales, myths, drama, poetry, etc. which we don't normally think of as "nonfiction." I'm looking for a source to verify this.
It seems plausible, but perhaps not accurate because, at the time, patrons weren't allowed in the stacks in many libraries. They ordered the books and then picked them up in a delivery room.
Have you come across any books that discuss this transition or otherwise help to explain why the nonfiction section includes books that aren't necessarily based on documented research?"
Please email Melissa Stewart at melissa@melissa-stewart.com if you have any tips!
Thank You,
Brett
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Brett Spencer
Reference Librarian
Thun Library, Penn State Berks
He/Him/His
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