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The Dewey Decimal Classification System
How the Library is Organized
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Melvil Dewey 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 the same topic are together on the shelf.
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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 countries around the world!
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Why? The Dewey system helps libraries arrange items so library users can find them. It’s a lot like a neatly organized chest of drawers that you might have in your bedroom: Socks in the top drawer Underwear in the second drawer Shirts in the third drawer Pants in the bottom drawer
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For example… Let’s say you’re interested in bicycles. What you want to
know about them will decide what Dewey Call numbers you’ll need to find: Bicycle safety Taking care of your bicycle The history of bicycles Bicycle racing
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Each of these topics is about bicycles, but a book about each of these topics will have its very own Dewey Call number. Bicycle safety 388.12 Taking care of your bicycle 629.27 The history of bicycles 796.6 Bicycle racing 796.62
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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.
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The Key to Library Call Numbers
TYPE OF BOOK HOW IT IS SHELVED E EVERYBODY = PICTURE BOOKS ALPHABETICALLY BY AUTHOR NAME FIC FICTION = CHAPTER 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
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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.
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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
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+ Just Remember……. FICTION CALL NUMBERS HAVE ONLY LETTERS!
NONFICTION CALL NUMBERS HAVE NUMBERS AND LETTERS! Except for Biographies, but that's a whole other story! +
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The Dewey System Has 10 Main Classes for Organizing Nonfiction Books.
Kinds of Books General Works Encyclopedias, almanacs, record books Philosophy and Psychology Paranormal phenomena, ethics, how we think Religion Bible, mythology, religions Social Science Government, holidays, fairy tales, education, community Language English and foreign languages, sign language, dictionaries Natural Science Math, chemistry, biology, weather, plants, animals Applied Science Inventions, transportation, cooking, pets Fine Arts and Recreation Crafts, painting, music, games, sports Literature Poetry, plays History and Geography Countries, flags, biographies about famous people
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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
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Here’s another way to look at it…
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The topics in the Dewey System are arranged into 10 main classes:
000 Computer science, information & general works 100 Philosophy & psychology 200 Religion 300 Social sciences 400 Language 500 Science 600 Technology 700 Arts & recreation 800 Literature 900 History & geography
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These 10 main classes are each divided into 10 divisions, like this:
700 Arts 710 Landscaping & area planning 720 Architecture 730 Sculpture, ceramics & metalwork 740 Drawing & decorative arts 750 Painting 760 Graphic arts 770 Photography & computer art 780 Music 790 Sports, games & entertainment
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Each division is then divided into 10 sections, like this:
790 Recreational & performing arts 791 Public performances 792 Stage presentations 793 Indoor games & amusements 794 Indoor games of skill 795 Games of chance 796 Athletic & outdoor sports & games 797 Aquatic & air sports 798 Equestrian sports & animal racing 799 Fishing, hunting & shooting
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796.046 Why the decimal point? You’ll see all of these numbers on the
LEFT side of the decimal point. But what about the numbers on the RIGHT side of the decimal point?
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The numbers on the right side are used to divide a specific subject into even more specific parts of a subject. For a book on making cookies at home, look for For a book on Golden Retrievers, look for For a book on stained glass, look for 748.5 It’s like sorting your music CDs by type of music, then by musician.
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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.
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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!
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What you do next: Now go through the 2nd Dewey PowerPoint and learn more about specific sections and exactly how to find your books. See what you already know from this, and see what’s new in the advanced version. The last slides will tell you what to do next.
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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, Teaching Librarian, April 2014 Including slides from “Get to know the DDC” by OCLC: Online Computer Library Center, Inc. . All Rights Reserved May not be used without permission
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