Speaking Volumes

A news story is circulating among librarians.  It points out that at least one Walmart store has divided its books by race.  (See article here:  http://www.ohio.com/news/102043983.html )  This is not really a new story.  In the large big box bookstore circuit for years there has been an “African American Literature” that gets debated.  Is this customer service / market identification or is it segregation?
 
In Libraryland, similar questions get asked.  Though often libraries do not have the physical room to group books, many do use stickers.  There is great debate as to wither books should be labeled about various things, usually it’s a question of genre:  westerns, romance, mystery, science fiction and now in recent years Christian fiction and African American literature.
 
For reader’s who only like particular kinds of reading, these designations are badly wanted.  For those with more curious and broad based tastes these designations are viewed as annoying.  For libraries it is often problematic.  If for no other reason, how do you classify a book in which the two main characters fall in love in a whirlwind romance while solving a murder and the whole thing takes place in the Old West?
 
However, the question of race and one would suppose religion, puts a different spin on this.  These classifications are not based on literary genre, but personal characteristics.  Thus while the criteria for grouping may become easier, the implications are much larger.   In my experience the big box bookstores have generally circumvented this by placing only “literature” or fiction by and about the particular group in their so labeled section.  All other books were placed else where in inclusive headings by broad subject.
 
The above mentioned article states that the retailer sold two books both about sports figures.  One was about a Black man, the other about a White man.  Each book was shelved in a different section.  I think this is where the problem really stems.
 
I do not believe the company or the employees who stock the shelves of that company were intentionally trying to make any statement.  In fact, I don’t think they thought about this at all.  I think they were simply following a vague marketing idea with easy to follow criteria.
 
But this still begs the question, is this reasonable?  Currently libraries are often pressured to follow the trends of bookstores.  It is suggested that we should abandon Dewey Decimal Systems and shelve by category – like bookstores.  It is suggested we abandon tables and provide large comfy chairs – like bookstores.  It is suggested we abandon our no food/drink policies and provide refreshments – like bookstores.
 
But who is monitoring the implications of these things? Following paths to their logical conclusions?  Libraries categorical systems, tables, policies, etc. have purpose.  We have reasons.  We think about things.  Maybe its time we should start asking book sellers to follow the trends of librarians?