1 Information Literacy Library Media Skills Dewey Decimal System

2 A method for arranging non-fiction books and other materials by subject in a consistent and logical numerical order.

3 In the Dewey Decimal System zBooks are put into ten large subject groups called categories. zEach category is given 100 basic numbers. zEach number stands for a specific topic. zEach non-fiction book is given a number and put on the shelf in numerical order. (Books on the same topic and thus with the same number are put in alphabetical order by the author’s last name.)

4 1. The location of the book in the library. 2. The general subject of the book. The Dewey Decimal number tells you two things:

5 Dewey Decimal Categories z General Reference z Philosophy, Psychology z Religion z Social Sciences z Languages

6 Dewey Decimal Categories z Sciences, Mathematics z Useful Arts and Sciences z Fine Arts (art, music, sports) z Literature, Poetry, Drama z History, Travel, Biography

7 Some examples illustrating how the Dewey Decimal System works 970General History of North America 971Canada 972Middle America Mexico 973United States history th century administration of J. F. Kennedy administration of George Bush

8 More examples illustrating how the Dewey Decimal System works 796Athletic & Outdoor Sports & Games 796.3ball games inflated ball driven by foot American football rugby soccer (association football)

9 Information Literacy Library Media Skills The Card Catalog or The Online Catalog (Online Public Access Catalog: OPAC)

10 The Card Catalog zA guide to all books and materials in the library zArranged in alphabetical order by the author’s last name, the title, and the subject in one alphabetical listing zFiled alphabetically by author, title, subject

11 zA guide to all books and materials in the library zIs accessed by a computer zIs searched by author, title, subject or keyword. The Electronic Database

12 Search By Author When You Want To Find Out … zIf the library owns the book zWhere the book is located on the shelf zWhat else the author has written

13 Search By Title When You Want To Find Out... zIf the library owns the book zWhere the book is located on the shelf zWho the author is

14 Search By Subject or Keyword When You Want To Find Out... zWhat material is available about the topic