Dewey Decimal Classification System Pacific Avenue Elementary Ms. Cortes © 2010 Daisy Cortes Unless otherwise noted all pictures credited to Microsoft Word ClipArt

What is the DDC? DDC- Dewey Decimal Classification System DDC- Dewey Decimal Classification System It’s the way we organize non-fiction books in a library It’s the way we organize non-fiction books in a library School & public libraries use the DDC School & public libraries use the DDC Libraries at universities use a different system called Library of Congress- LC Libraries at universities use a different system called Library of Congress- LC Image from:

Who invented the DDC? Melville (Melvil) Dewey Melville (Melvil) Dewey He was a librarian He was a librarian He wanted libraries to be free for everyone! He wanted libraries to be free for everyone! He created a way to organize books. He created a way to organize books.

The Dewey Decimal System There are 10 main classes/categories (100s, 200s, 300s…) There are 10 main classes/categories (100s, 200s, 300s…) It is only for the non-fiction section It is only for the non-fiction section

Generalities Computers Computers Encyclopedias Encyclopedias Libraries Libraries

Philosophy & Psychology Thinking & Feelings Thinking & Feelings Friendship Friendship Remember these are books about facts! Remember these are books about facts! –You won’t find stories about friendship here.

Religion Religious stories Religious stories Mythology Mythology

Social Sciences Social Sciences- these books are about how people live in the world Social Sciences- these books are about how people live in the world Government Government Military Military Holidays Holidays Folk & Fairy Tales- WHAT??!!! Those are fiction books. Folk & Fairy Tales- WHAT??!!! Those are fiction books.

Fiction in Non-Fiction? Some books in the non-fiction section are fiction books (made up stories) Some books in the non-fiction section are fiction books (made up stories) Folk & Fairy Tales in the 300s are fiction stories. Many times they tell us about legends or famous stories like Little Red Riding Hood Folk & Fairy Tales in the 300s are fiction stories. Many times they tell us about legends or famous stories like Little Red Riding Hood

Fiction in Non-Fiction? The Upstairs Room by Johanna Reiss The Upstairs Room by Johanna Reiss Fiction because most of the characters are not real people. Fiction because most of the characters are not real people. It is in the 900s because the setting is World War II a big part of US History. It is in the 900s because the setting is World War II a big part of US History.

Language Different Languages Different Languages Sign Language Sign Language Dictionaries Dictionaries We don’t have a lot of these books in our library. Visit your public library! We don’t have a lot of these books in our library. Visit your public library!

Natural Sciences Natural Science is how nature is found (unbothered by humans) Natural Science is how nature is found (unbothered by humans) Planets & Stars Planets & Stars Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Tsunamis Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Tsunamis Dinosaurs Dinosaurs Botany= plants Botany= plants Animals & Bugs Animals & Bugs

Applied Science Applied Science is how humans use nature or thought Applied Science is how humans use nature or thought Inventions Inventions Health Health Transportation Transportation Pets Pets Cooking Cooking

500s vs. 600s What’s the difference? 500s Natural Science 500s Natural Science 600s Applied Science 600s Applied Science Trees are Natural Science Trees are Natural Science USING a tree to make it into paper or a house makes it Applied Science USING a tree to make it into paper or a house makes it Applied Science Natural Science Applied Science

500s vs. 600s 500s Natural Science 500s Natural Science A coyote would be found in Natural Science. It is a wild animal. A coyote would be found in Natural Science. It is a wild animal. 600s Applied Science 600s Applied Science A dog would be found in Applied Science. Humans took dogs and made them into pets. A dog would be found in Applied Science. Humans took dogs and made them into pets.

Animals in 600s Domesticated Animals Domesticated Animals Domesticated- to tame; animals that live closely with humans Domesticated- to tame; animals that live closely with humans Farm Animals & Pets Farm Animals & Pets –Horses, Cows, Chickens, Cats, Dogs, etc

Arts & Recreation Arts- drawing, music, painting etc Arts- drawing, music, painting etc Recreation- things we do for fun, games Recreation- things we do for fun, games –Sports –Magic

Literature Poetry Poetry Jokes & Riddles Jokes & Riddles

History & Geography Atlases & Maps Atlases & Maps Country books Country books Ancient Civilizations Ancient Civilizations Wars Wars Presidents Presidents

What is a call number? A call number tells you where a book goes in the library. (It’s like an address) A call number tells you where a book goes in the library. (It’s like an address) It is located on the spine of a book It is located on the spine of a book Call Number

How are books organized? FICTION FICTION Author’s last name Author’s last name Ex Ex –Diary of a Wimpy Kid’s author is Jeff Kinney –The call number will look like this: FICKIN NON-FICTION NON-FICTION DDC number and author’s last name DDC number and author’s last name Ex Ex –Elephants by Roland Smith –The call number will look like this:599.67SMI

How do we look for books on the shelf? LR TB Left to Right Top to Bottom