1. Introduction to the Dewey Decimal System
Prepared by Patti Henderson,
Media Specialist
Sanford Middle School

2. Melvin Dewey Created the Dewey Decimal System
Melvin Dewey was born in 1851.
He worked in the library while attending Amherst College in 1870.
At age 26, he created and published the first edition of the Dewey Decimal System, anonymously. It was titled “Classification and Subject Index for Cataloguing and Arranging the Books and Pamphlets of a Library”.

3. Dewey Decimal Classifications
000- Computers, Information
and General Reference
100 – Philosophy and
Psychology
200 - Religion
300 – Social Sciences
400 - Language
500 - Science
600 - Technology
700 – Arts & Recreation
800 - Literature
900 – History & Geography

4. Generalities
The Generalities classification includes encyclopedias, almanacs, bibliographies, periodicals and journalism books.
We often refer to some of these materials as reference books.

5. – Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of thinking. Examples of some books in our library in this section are:
- Psychology in Action – 150
-Mysterious Detectives:
Psychics – 133
- The Left-Handed Book -152

6. – Religion
The Bible was one of the first books to be printed on the printing press.
This classification includes books about all religions.
Fact – The Bible was one of the first books printed on the printing press, invented by Johannes Gutenberg in the 15th century.

7. – Social Sciences
This category includes materials related to laws, politics, and customs.
Some topics in this section are:
Education
Military Science
Economics and
Law

8. – Language
The Language category includes books about all languages, not just ours.
A few examples from our media center are:
-In Other Words – 428
-Mad as a Wet Hen -428
-The Magic and Mystery of
Words -422

9. Science
The Science classification includes books from all areas of science.
You might be surprised to see books about mathematics, plants, and animals in this section, as well as books on chemistry, and physics.

10. – Technology
In this category we place books about medicine, machines, vehicles, farming, and pets.
- Traditional American Farming
- Organic Farming
- Dog Training
- Car Care for Dummies
These are a few examples of books that might be found in the Technology section.

11. – Arts & Recreation
Information on famous painters such as Van Gogh, Picasso, El Greco, and Raphael are housed in this section.
Additional topics would be: landscaping, sculpture, photography, music, football, soccer, and ballet.

12. – Literature
Literature means writing that have permanent value.
Includes nursery rhymes, riddles, and joke books, as well as works by Shakespeare.

13. – Geography & History
In this section you could find books to answer questions like these:
What countries fought in the Korean War?
What is the smallest continent on earth?
Why was the “Draft” started in the United States?

14. What Did We Learn? Who invented the DDS?
How Many Main Categories are there in the DDS?
Thinking Question -
Is it possible for a topic to be shelved in more than one section?

15. Bibliographic Information
Dewey Decimal Collection Tour
Some book titles were pulled from: