The Dewey Decimal Classification System

Books, Books, Books… Have you ever wondered how we began to organize all of the books and resources in the library?

The Dewey Decimal System This is the system that puts all of our books into groups or classes.

Bright Idea! The credit for this easy organization system goes to a fellow named Melvil Dewey.

Melvil the Librarian Melvil was a librarian who got tired of not being able to find the books and information that he wanted. One day he decided to fix this problem and created the Dewey Decimal System. (Named after himself, of course!)

Who’s Melvil? Born December 10, 1851 in New York. Born December 10, 1851 in New York. Created the Dewey Decimal System in Created the Dewey Decimal System in Founded the American Library Association. Founded the American Library Association. Founded the first professional library school. Founded the first professional library school. Died in Died in Wikipedia

How did he do it? Melvil decided to group the books into 10 general classes. Melvil decided to group the books into 10 general classes. The classes are named by number and subject. The classes are named by number and subject. Books that fit under the same general class have the same call number. Books that fit under the same general class have the same call number. 000 – Generalities Philosophy & Psychology Psychology 200 – Religion Social Science 400 – Language Natural Science & Mathematics Mathematics Technology & Applied Sciences Sciences 700 – Arts 800 – Literature Geography & History

Subclasses The 10 general classes are then divided into 10 subclasses. The 10 general classes are then divided into 10 subclasses. This makes 100 subclasses. (10x10=100) This makes 100 subclasses. (10x10=100) The example to the right is how the class for Natural Science and Mathematics, the 500s, is divided. The example to the right is how the class for Natural Science and Mathematics, the 500s, is divided. Here’s an example: 510 Math 520 Astronomy 530 Physics 540 Chemistry 550 Earth sciences 560 Paleontology 570 Life sciences 580 Plants 590 Animals

Sub-subclasses The 100 classes are then divided into even more specific sub-subclasses. The 100 classes are then divided into even more specific sub-subclasses. Each subclass has 10 sub- subclasses. Each subclass has 10 sub- subclasses. So, that is 1,000 sub- subclasses. So, that is 1,000 sub- subclasses.(100x10=1,000) The Example to the right is how the Animal subclass, the 590s, is broken down into sub-subclasses. The Example to the right is how the Animal subclass, the 590s, is broken down into sub-subclasses. Here’s an example using 590 Animals. 590 Zoological sciences 591 Zoology 592 Invertebrates 593 Protozoa, Echinodermata, related phyla 594 Mollusca & Molluscoidea 595 Other invertebrates 596 Vertebrata (Craniata, related phyla 594 Mollusca & Molluscoidea 595 Other invertebrates 596 Vertebrata (Craniata, Vertebrates) 597 Cold-blooded vertebrates Vertebrates) 597 Cold-blooded vertebrates Fishes 598 Aves (Birds) 599 Mammalia (Mammals) Fishes 598 Aves (Birds) 599 Mammalia (Mammals)

How do all of this fit together? Well, as we saw in the previous slides… Well, as we saw in the previous slides… 500s – Natural Sciences and Mathematics 590s – Animals 596s – Vertebrates So…All of the books about the very specific subject of Vertebrates would be found in the 596s.

The Call Numbers The Call Numbers We call the specific numbers given to books using the Dewey Decimal System, call numbers. We call the specific numbers given to books using the Dewey Decimal System, call numbers. Every book has a three digit call number. (Some books have a decimal point and a few more numbers.) Every book has a three digit call number. (Some books have a decimal point and a few more numbers.) Checkout how the call numbers are assigned to the books. Checkout how the call numbers are assigned to the books. Call Number for a book on Vertebrates… Natural Sciences and Mathematics 9-Animals6-Vertebrates5+9+6=596

Call Numbers Cont… After the book is grouped in the correct category, division, and subdivision, the books are placed in alphabetical order by the author’s last name. After the book is grouped in the correct category, division, and subdivision, the books are placed in alphabetical order by the author’s last name. The example to the right has a call number 596 OHA because the author’s last name is O’Hare.

What about the decimal point? Well, the decimal point identifies an even more specific type of vertebrate book. Well, the decimal point identifies an even more specific type of vertebrate book. For example, the book to the right might have a call number of 596.1BER because the book is about a specific type of vertebrates, bears.

Don’t let all of these numbers confuse you! Around the library we have Dewey Decimal System signs. Around the library we have Dewey Decimal System signs. They will guide you to the correct class of books. They will guide you to the correct class of books. The subclasses and sub-subclasses are in numerical order. The subclasses and sub-subclasses are in numerical order. Once you find the correct number, look for the first three letters of the author’s last name in alphabetical order. Once you find the correct number, look for the first three letters of the author’s last name in alphabetical order.

How to find a book using the Dewey Decimal System… Step 1: Find the general class in the media center. ( ). Step 2: Find the three digit number that is in number order. Step 3: If there is a decimal point and more numbers keep looking in number order. Step 4: Look for the first three letters in the author’s last name in alphabetical order.

What about fiction books? They are easy to locate too! They are easy to locate too! Step 1: Find the fiction section. (Its says fiction on the sign. ) Step 2: The call number for fiction books is an F. Step 3: The F is followed by the first three letters of the author’s last name in alphabetical order.

Now let’s give it a shot…

References Clip Art – Microsoft Clip Art Online Clip Art – Microsoft Clip Art Online Content gathered from the following websites: Content gathered from the following websites: – wey.html wey.htmlhttp://sunsite.Berkeley.EDU/KidsClick!/de wey.html – – r/