The Dewey Decimal Classification System How the Library is Organized

Melvil Dewey 1851-1931 In 1876, Melvil Dewey devised a system of organizing books. He divided books up into 10 main subjects, and then assigned these subjects a number. That way all the books on a topic would be together on the shelf.

The Dewey Decimal System Mr. Dewey’s idea was so good, it has lasted for 130 years so far and spread to more than 200,000 libraries in 135 countries around the world!

What is a Call Number? Every book in the library is given a unique call number that is an address for locating the book on the shelf. The call number is located on the spine of a book. The call number is made up of two parts: the Dewey Decimal classification number and the first three letters of the author’s last name.

The Key to Library Call Numbers TYPE OF BOOK HOW IT IS SHELVED E EVERYBODY = PICTURE BOOKS ALPHABETICALLY BY AUTHOR NAME FIC FICTION = CHAPTER 000-999 NONFICTION DEWEY DECIMAL NUMBER, THEN AUTHOR NAME 92 OR 921 OR B BIOGRAPHY DEWEY DECIMAL NUMBER, THEN SUBJECT’S NAME REF REFERENCE DEWEY DECIMAL NUMBER, THEN AUTHOR’S NAME

The Difference Between Fiction and Nonfiction Books that are stories made up by the author. They are not true, but might be based on true events. Nonfiction Books that are about real things, people, events and places. They are true, except for fairy and folk tales in 398 and literature in the 800s.

Fiction and Nonfiction Call Numbers Fiction call numbers begin with E or FIC or F, and then the first three letters of the author’s last name. It’s still a call number even though there are no numbers in it! Nonfiction call numbers begin with a Dewey number, and then the first three letters of the author’s last name. 599 GIB E SEU FIC PAU

+ Just Remember……. FICTION CALL NUMBERS HAVE ONLY LETTERS! NONFICTION CALL NUMBERS HAVE NUMBERS AND LETTERS! +

The Dewey System Has 10 Main Classes for Organizing Nonfiction Books. Kinds of Books 000-099 General Works Encyclopedias, almanacs, record books 100-199 Philosophy and Psychology Paranormal phenomena, ethics, how we think 200-299 Religion Bible, mythology, religions 300-399 Social Science Government, holidays, fairy tales, education, community 400-499 Language English and foreign languages, sign language, dictionaries 500-599 Natural Science Math, chemistry, biology, weather, plants, animals 600-699 Applied Science Inventions, transportation, cooking, pets 700-799 Fine Arts and Recreation Crafts, painting, music, games, sports 800-899 Literature Poetry, plays 900-999 History and Geography Countries, flags, biographies about famous people

Each of the 10 Main Classes can be further divided: From Broad… 500 Natural Science 590 Animals 599 Mammals 599.8 Primates …to Specific 599.88 Apes

Dewey and Decimals Think of a Dewey number as if it were dollars and cents! For example: 595.23 Comes Before 595.30 When in doubt, add a 0 (zero) to even out the digits after the decimal.

Locating a Book on the Shelf Remember this rule for how books are usually shelved! You start at the left on the top shelf, and move to the right until the shelf ends. Then you go to the next shelf beneath that, and do the same-left to right, top to bottom, just like you read a page in a book!

In Conclusion: Once you understand the Dewey Decimal System of organization, you can find your way around most public and school libraries. Remember to put a big star on the back of the paper that shows your favorite of the 3 PowerPoints! If you want, you may also write down why. Thank you for your help choosing the best one!

Presentation created by: Julie Favero and Diana Dorney, Librarians, Lake Oswego School District Adapted with permission by: Garnetta Wilker, District Librarian, Oregon Trail School District, September 2004 Adapted further, with permission, by: Ms. Tini Maier, Teacher Librarian, November 2013 All Rights Reserved May not be used without permission