Norwood library to move children’s picture books to main floor, pilot topic-based cataloging

The Town of Norwood library announced plans to move its picture-book collection from a small children’s room to the main floor later this year and to recatalog that collection by topical categories to make it easier for young patrons to browse, Head of Youth Services Kate Tighe said.

Library officials said the move is tentatively scheduled for September, after summer reading, and will be followed by a multi-month effort to recatalog picture books by topic rather than solely by author. The staff described the change as a response to high picture-book circulation and limited shelf space in the current location.

Tighe said the picture books currently sit in a smaller room behind the desk and are the library’s most-circulated collection. “Picture books are our most circulated collection,” she told trustees, and moving them to the main room will free space for growth. She said technical services, circulation staff and a library task force called Space Force are assisting with planning.

Library managers described the work as two steps: first physically relocating the shelves and collections, then recataloging entries so children can look for subjects (for example, dinosaurs or trucks) rather than by authors’ last names. Staff said they will not recatalog at the exact time of the physical move; the move will come first to avoid confusing patrons during high-use periods such as summer reading.

Officials said the children’s room will be closed for several days — staff estimated about three to four days — while books are packed, moved and reshelved, and that dates will be chosen to minimize disruption (after school starts in the fall is preferred). The library plans to notify schools and partner organizations in advance and to provide patrons with timelines and guidance during the transition.

As part of the relabeling pilot, staff discussed a proposed public-friendly layout (staff mentioned an internal working name, “Mustang Meadows,” as a concept for the new topical map) and said they will use catalog tagging so patrons can search by subject online. Tighe and other staff said they consulted peer libraries (including a Westwood library presentation and New England Library Association contacts) to design categories and rules for placing books that touch multiple subjects.

Staff named several operational tasks that will precede the move: weeding and collection maintenance, catalog updates and coordination with technical services and circulation staff; Michael from circulation was cited as providing prior experience that shaped the timeline and timing decision. Trustees asked about adult patron reaction and how staff will guide users to the new layout; staff said they will distribute handouts, update the online catalog with primary/secondary category tags and run outreach before and after the change.

The library did not present a final schedule or vote during the meeting; staff said they will announce dates and details as the plan is finalized.

The library will continue regular children’s programming while planning the move and will provide advance notice to parents and schools about the temporary closure and the expected new browsing layout.