Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) A library classification developed by Melvil Dewey in 1876 DDC are numbers representing subjects. Ten main classes – 100 divisions – 1000 sections Abridged 14 (Dewey Decimal Classification, 14 th ed.) ISBN sttai/DDC 141
Ten classes 000 – Computer science, information & general works 100 – Philosophy & psychology 200 – Religion 300 – Social sciences 400 – Language 500 – Science (including mathematics) 600 – Technology and applied Science 700 – Arts and recreation 800 – Literature 900 – History & geography sttai/DDC 142
Example DDC number for seismography (base number) – Geology, hydrology, meteorology (subdivision) – Earthquakes 028 (Table 1, standard subdivision) – Auxiliary techniques and procedure sttai/DDC 143
Tables Table 1 – Standard division Table 2 – Geographic areas, and Persons Table 3 – Subdivisions for individual literatures, for specific literary forms Numbers from these may be added to base number to describe the subject content of the book sttai/DDC 144
Table 1 Person -092 Management -068 History and descriptions with respect to kinds of persons -08 Dictionaries, encyclopedias, concordances -03 Historical treatment (not limited by area or time) -09 sttai/DDC 145
Table 2 Not to be used alone unless noted otherwise Often used together with Table 1 E.g. -2 Persons -4 Europe, western Europe -5 Asia Golf in China sttai/DDC 146
Table 3 Also not to be used alone unless otherwise stated under individual literatures in Poetry e.g. 821 English Poetry -2 Drama -3 Fiction Most libraries classified fiction by the author’s last name E.g. “Point Blanc” by Anthony Horowitz F HOR sttai/DDC 147
Useful links Dewey at Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) – order print or web dewey British Library online catalogue Library of Congress online catalogue sttai/DDC 148