Ms. Carnahan? Professor Snape suggested I contact you regarding the Library of his school. I was wondering if you had any ideas or anything in particular you'd like me to do?
Thank you for contacting me, Miss Granger; I was about to do the same for you. I think introductions might be the best place to start here. With what areas of literature and non-fiction are you most familiar? Or, if you prefer, which collections would you like to work on?
I'm familiar with, as a rule, most parts of non-fiction that was available at my school - that is magical based, of course. I know that doesn't really mean as much here, given the loss of our powers, but it's still relevant. As for literature, my spare time was spend on what are regarded as muggle 'classics' - that is Austen, Shakespeare, Dickens, the Brontë Sisters and so on and so forth. I am really quite happy to work on anything you'd like to give me to do - any book is worth taking care of, no matter it's content.
OH GOD I'M SORRY I DIDN'T MEAN TO LIBRARIAN ALL OVER THIS
My own specialty is ancient Egypt; it sounds as though we'll have our work cut out for us in other subject areas! Why don't we put you in charge of magical works of all sorts? This will be something of a stretching exercise for both of us, when it comes to the other subject areas we need to cover. We'll have to divide them up by interest (or lack of utter antipathy, unless you're especially fond of sport).
I've been considering the classification system that would work best for this project; unfortunately, I think the ones I used most often at home are too specific and complex for schoolchildren to quickly grasp. Dewey's decimal system might have to be the tool around which we base the collection. He's an American, but his divisions of knowledge are rather useful:
I propose we append another 'century' to the end of it so that we don't have to decide whether magic is best filed under Useful Arts, Fine Arts, or Theology. Which would bring us to 1000, Magical Arts. There are subdivisions within all these categories, but we'll have to play those somewhat by ear. Dewey didn't exactly plan them for worlds other than Earth!
With Magical Arts appended, that brings us to eleven major subject areas, nine of which are up for grabs after the aforementioned Magical Arts and History are handed out to you and me. Why don't you choose at least one more that might be within your realm of interest and begin to plan out the books needed? You're welcome to take more than one more, but I shouldn't like to overwhelm you.
I found a copy of Dewey's guide to the subject, and I'm happy to lend it to you if you haven't read it before. How much experience with librarianship have you got, by the way? I don't want to move too fast through these areas if they're new to you.
As far as fiction goes, I must admit that it's been a very long time since I read anything that could be called children's literature. If you have, we'll place you in charge of that section, and I will manage the adult fiction we shelve. You are, of course, welcome to assist in the selection of classics there.
As I hope you can see, Miss Granger, I prefer to run a tight ship when it comes to the organization of the library. Every book in its rightful place, or no one will ever be able to make proper use of the collection. If you feel you can uphold that same sentiment in your own work, I'd be happy to have you aboard.
Picking up the Dewey system in Asgard seems like a wonderful idea to organise things, especially for a school based environment. I spent a lot of time in the library at my own school at home and so I've almost memorised the order of things there - both magical and muggle (that is, non-magical) in nature. I think that can transfer itself over to here quite well and I can assure you my organisational skills are very high. You can ask for references if you like, seeing as my friends often got very irritated with my lists.
I'd be more than happy to take part in creating a classical literature section and make sure that we both keep discussions with the teacher at the top of our minds. I'd also be happy to take charge of the children's section, if that's really alright with you.
I am just as dedicated to running a tight library as you are, I believe, so I would be more than happy to give you any and all assistance that you want from me. Just say the word and I'll be there.
I think the way you've presented yourself is reference enough in your favour. It sounds as though we're of a similar mind on all these matters, and of course, Professor Snape's recommendation speaks for you, too.
Since we're starting from scratch, I think we'll need to put together lists of the core materials we'll need for each section. Why don't we each begin with that and meet in a week or so to compare notes and decide where to go from there?
Are you planning to teach any courses in addition to working in the library?
I'm not sure that Professor Snape recommended me as much as he was desperate to shut me up and find a use for me, but I'm sure that must account for something.
That sounds like a wonderful idea - I'll see what I can write up and then we can compare notes when we're both free. As for teaching - yes, I will be taking care of the teaching of the History of Magic, actually.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
text; day 358
no subject
no subject
OH GOD I'M SORRY I DIDN'T MEAN TO LIBRARIAN ALL OVER THIS
I've been considering the classification system that would work best for this project; unfortunately, I think the ones I used most often at home are too specific and complex for schoolchildren to quickly grasp. Dewey's decimal system might have to be the tool around which we base the collection. He's an American, but his divisions of knowledge are rather useful:
0 General.
100 Philosophy.
200 Theology.
300 Sociology.
400 Philology.
500 Natural Science.
600 Useful Arts.
700 Fine Arts.
800 Literature.
900 History.
I propose we append another 'century' to the end of it so that we don't have to decide whether magic is best filed under Useful Arts, Fine Arts, or Theology. Which would bring us to 1000, Magical Arts. There are subdivisions within all these categories, but we'll have to play those somewhat by ear. Dewey didn't exactly plan them for worlds other than Earth!
With Magical Arts appended, that brings us to eleven major subject areas, nine of which are up for grabs after the aforementioned Magical Arts and History are handed out to you and me. Why don't you choose at least one more that might be within your realm of interest and begin to plan out the books needed? You're welcome to take more than one more, but I shouldn't like to overwhelm you.
I found a copy of Dewey's guide to the subject, and I'm happy to lend it to you if you haven't read it before. How much experience with librarianship have you got, by the way? I don't want to move too fast through these areas if they're new to you.
As far as fiction goes, I must admit that it's been a very long time since I read anything that could be called children's literature. If you have, we'll place you in charge of that section, and I will manage the adult fiction we shelve. You are, of course, welcome to assist in the selection of classics there.
As I hope you can see, Miss Granger, I prefer to run a tight ship when it comes to the organization of the library. Every book in its rightful place, or no one will ever be able to make proper use of the collection. If you feel you can uphold that same sentiment in your own work, I'd be happy to have you aboard.
JKSDG PERFECT
I'd be more than happy to take part in creating a classical literature section and make sure that we both keep discussions with the teacher at the top of our minds. I'd also be happy to take charge of the children's section, if that's really alright with you.
I am just as dedicated to running a tight library as you are, I believe, so I would be more than happy to give you any and all assistance that you want from me. Just say the word and I'll be there.
no subject
Since we're starting from scratch, I think we'll need to put together lists of the core materials we'll need for each section. Why don't we each begin with that and meet in a week or so to compare notes and decide where to go from there?
Are you planning to teach any courses in addition to working in the library?
no subject
That sounds like a wonderful idea - I'll see what I can write up and then we can compare notes when we're both free. As for teaching - yes, I will be taking care of the teaching of the History of Magic, actually.
no subject
Well, I suppose we'll see quite a bit of each other; I'm teaching some history courses as well.