1. Dewey Decimal System of Classification
I’ve got your number!

2. Classification: The groups are often called categories or classes.
A method for grouping items together with similar qualities.
The groups are often called categories or classes.

3. In the Dewey Decimal System of Classification, all
nonfiction books are classified (grouped) by subject.
So, books about similar subjects are placed together on the shelf.
Tigers
Big Cats
African Big Cats

4. Melvil Dewey invented the Dewey Decimal System of Classification in 1876.
Brilliant!

5. Classification Systems are used in many places you visit, such as grocery stores.

6. Classification systems help keep items organized.

7. How the System Works
Dewey came up with 10 Main Classes for organizing books. He assigned a number and a subject for each of the main classes.

8. 10 Main Classes 000s - Generalities 100s - Philosophy & Psychology
200s - Religion
300s - Social Sciences
400s - Language
500s - Natural Sciences and Mathematics
600s - Technology
700s - The Arts
800s - Literature
900s - Geography and History

9. So remember..
…library books have class!

10. Then, he subdivided each class into divisions of 10s and gave them names. For example, the 500s class:
Natural Sciences and Mathematics Mathematics Astronomy Physics Chemistry Earth sciences & geology Fossils & prehistoric life Life sciences; biology Plants (Botany) Animals and Insects (Zoology)

11. Then, he subdivided each division into sections and gave them names:
Animals & Insects
Body Systems of Animals and Insects
Invertebrates ,Worms
Sea Invertebrates, Coral
Mollusks, Octopus, Squid, Snail
Insects, Spiders
Vertebrates
597 Fish, Amphibians, Frogs,
Snakes
Reptiles and Birds
Mammals of the Land and Ocean

12. 597.5 Fish with moveable upper jaws 597.51 Moray eels 597.52 Carp
Then, he added decimal points and more numbers for very specific subjects.
Fish
Fish with moveable upper jaws
Moray eels
Carp
Sea Horses
Dewey Decimal number is
typed on a label and placed on
spine of the book.
Sea Horse Book By
Sam Smith
597.53
SMI

13. The spine labels on the books guide the order for placing books on a shelf! The books are shelved in Dewey/Alphabetical order.
597.5
JEN
597.51
KIN
597.52
MOR
597.53
SMI
How nice to have all the fish books together on the shelf!

14. Now you are ready to
“Do the Dewey!”