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Joyce Valenza

Wordle meets Dewey
October 2, 2008

I've been playing around with and blogging about Wordle, the online tag cloud generator, for quite a while now.

Last night, I discovered Lucy and Ethel's Library Schemes' wonderful suggestion about using this tool to create Dewey signs.

Using the OCLC Dewey Summaries, with a bit of editing (for instance, eliminating unassigned and optional numbers and pasting the number in several times), you can create cool signs that attractively help students locate materials on the shelves.

(Note: after you create your Wordle, don't forget to unclick remove numbers in the Language tab. You might also want to paste extra copies of words representing larger holdings in your own collection.)

Posted by Joyce Valenza on October 2, 2008 | Comments (8)

October 3, 2008
In response to: Wordle meets Dewey
John Schinker commented:

Cool idea. You could use Excel with a list of your own collection's call numbers and do a lookup against the Dewey summaries. Then, take the resulting text and make a Wordle. Then the text size would be proportional to your actual collection. Thanks for the idea.

October 3, 2008
In response to: Wordle meets Dewey
Dennis Richards commented:

A good reminder of a cool tool for learning also. Thanks, Joyce. I posted an example at innovation3.edublogs.org for the 800s and invited people to share classroom examples.

October 4, 2008
In response to: Wordle meets Dewey
joycevalenza commented:

Thanks, John! Better idea. And Dennis, your 800s art is quite beautiful.

October 8, 2008
In response to: Wordle meets Dewey
Donna Forester commented:

I wish I could show you my banner in my Blackboard 24/7 library "class" which is a wordle--I just typed in words that I wanted to use to describe my library program emphases, including my school name and the word Library--I got lots of compliments and some students came to ask me how I copied it (I used SnagIt) so that they could create one on their Native American research presentation!

October 19, 2008
In response to: Wordle meets Dewey
cheryloakes50 commented:

Joyce, This is just a super idea! Thanks for sharing. I am sending this to my librarians and hope I can meet with them and work on Wordle.net See you online! Cheryl

October 20, 2008
In response to: Wordle meets Dewey
joycevalenza commented:

Let me know how it goes, Cheryl. Remember to edit out numbers and *disruptive* words.

October 21, 2008
In response to: Wordle meets Dewey
deborah evans commented:

I love your Dewey 900s cloud! My undergrad major was history, and this made my heart sing a tune.

November 24, 2008
In response to: Wordle meets Dewey
Judy O'Connell commented:

What can I say!! Awesome idea! Will look great in our new library.