1. The Dewey Decimal Classification System: An Overview for Middle School Students Letitia Green MEDT 6463

2. Reasons for learning the DDCS… You are expected to become more independent as you continue the research process now that you are a middle school student… You are certain to locate books you never knew existed once you begin using the Dewey Decimal Classification System for yourself… You will discover how much fun reading and researching are as well as how much your media center has to offer… Let’s get started…

3. Melvil Dewey was born on December 10, 1851 in Adams Center, New York. He died on December 26, 1931 in Lake Placid, Florida. He is the American librarian who devised the Dewey Decimal System for library cataloging. In 1886, he published A Classification and Subject Index for Cataloging and Arranging Books and Pamphlets of a Library in which he outlined what eventually became the Dewey Decimal Cataloging System. This system was gradually adopted by libraries throughout the English speaking world. Who is Melvil Dewey?

4. What is the Dewey Decimal Classification System? The Dewey Decimal Classification System is the most widely used library classification system that provides an organizing system for classifying every item in a library collection. The Dewey Decimal Classification System is used in more than 200,000 libraries throughout the world. The Dewey Decimal Classification System uses numbers and letters to coordinate materials on both the same and related subjects to make items easier to located on shelves. Items are divided into ten (10) main classes for organizational purposes.

5. The ten main classes are… 000-099: Computer Science, Information, and General Works 100-199: Philosophy and Psychology 200-299: Religion 300-399: Social Sciences 400-499: Language 500-599: Natural Science 600-699: Technology 700-799: The Arts 800-899: Literature 900-999: History

6. More about the Dewey Decimal Classification System… Each of the ten groups of the Dewey Decimal Classification System is divided into one-hundred numbers, and from there, the subdivisions are divided into decimal numbers.

7. 000-099: Computer Science, Information and General Works Books that are classified under this group are general in nature and relate to topics such as organizations, publications, and rare books. 004.67 The Incredible Story of Computers And the Internet by Greg Roza

8. 100-199: Philosophy and Psychology 100-199: Philosophy and Psychology 170 Items that relate to metaphysics, logic and philosophy are part of this grouping. Letters to a Young Brother by Hill Harper 170.84 Check out this book review: http://aalbc.com/reviews/letters_young_brother.htm Letters to a Young Sister by Hill Harper

9. 200-299: Religion All books in this group relate to various religions, religious philosophy, theology, Christianity and the bible. The History of the Black Church by Norma Jean Lutz 277.3

10. 300-399: Social Science Topics such as education, law, public administration and customs can be found within this classification. The Women’s Rights Movement by Shane Mountjoy 305.42 Immigration by Roger Hernandez 305.8

11. 400-499: Language This selection of books involves material that relates to other languages. You are certain to find a book that is both informative and fun as you will be able to learn many languages from around the world! Mamy Wata et le Monstre by Veronigue Tadjo-448/T 463

12. 500-599: Natural Science Books from your basic science to animals can be found here. The Solar System by Robin Kerrod: 523.2

13. 600-699: Technology The books from this section relate not only to technology, but medical science books are also located here. Eyewitness Books: Technology by Bridgman 600

14. 700-799: The Arts This fun section includes books that relate to music, art, dance, and sports. There is definitely a book here for everyone. Making Origami Paper Airplanes By Michael LaFosse 736/L

15. 800-899: Literature Whether you enjoy poetry or reading about your favorite writer (Langston Hughes, perhaps?), this section houses material from some of the world’s greatest writers. A brief book customer review can be found at the following site: http://www.amazon.com/Poetry-Young-People-Lewis-Carroll/dp/0439148308 Poetry for Young People: Lewis Carroll 821/C

16. 900-999: History This section provides books on topics that include historical information, geography and specific information related to countries and all of the continents. The Attack on Pearl Harbor by Richard Worth: 440/WOR

17. Fiction books… Don’t forget about the fiction books. They are organized according to the last name of the writer in the fiction section. For example, if you want to locate the book, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor, you would look in the “T” section alphabetically. Check out the book review below… http://www.edb.utexas.edu/resources/booksR4teens/book_reviews/book_reviews.php?book_id=95www.edb.utexas.edu/resources/booksR4teens/book_reviews/book_reviews.php?book_id=95 Fic Tay

18. Dewey will work for you… The Media Center is an essential resource in assisting you with all of your reading and researching needs. The Dewey Decimal Classification System is a significant area that requires you to become familiar with the basic components. Your book mark and the Dewey Scavenger Hunt should provide further assistance as you continue your growth as a middle school student.

19. Check out these great references References Bridgman, R. (2006). Eyewitness books: technology. New York: Dorling Kindersley. Brittanica’s Concise Encyclopedia (2010). Dewey Decimal Classification System. Retrieved October 17, 2010 from http://www.answers.com/topic/dewey-decimal- classification.http://www.answers.com/topic/dewey-decimal- classification Carroll, L. (2000). Poetry for young children: Lewis Carroll. New York: Sterling Company. Georgia Department of Education, (2010). Georgia Performance Standards. Retrieved October 18, 2010 from https://www.georgiastandards.org/standard/pages/BrowseStandards/BrowseGPS.as px. https://www.georgiastandards.org/standard/pages/BrowseStandards/BrowseGPS.as px Harper Collins. (2000). Harper Collins Spanish Concise Dictionary. New York: Author. Harper, H. (2006). Letters to a young brother. New York: Gotham Books. Harper, H. (2008). Letters to a young sister. New York: Gotham Books. Hernandez, R. (2007). Immigration. Broomall: Mason Crest. Kerrod, R. (2000). The solar system. Minneapolis: Lerner Publications. LaFosse, M. (2004). Making origami: paper airplanes. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group. Lutz, N. (2001). The history of the black church. USA: Chelsea House Publishers.

20. Check out these great resources References Mountjoy, S. (2008). The women’s rights movement. New York: Infobase Publishers. Online Computer Library Center (OCLC), (2010). Retrieved October 18, 2010 from http://www.oclc.org/dewey/default.htm http://www.oclc.org/dewey/default.htm Roza, G. (2004). The incredible story of computers and the internet. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group. Tadjo, V. (2000). Mamy Wata et le monstre. London: Milet Publishing Limited. Taylor, M. (2000). Roll of thunder, hear my cry. New York: Dial Books. (Original work published 1976) Wesper, Frank (2010). “Let’s Do Dewey.” Retrieved October 18, 2010 from http://frank.mtsu.edu/~wesper/dewey2.htm. http://frank.mtsu.edu/~wesper/dewey2.htm Worth, R. (2001). The attack on Pearl Harbor. Chicago: Reed Educational and Professional Publishers. Graphic Sources All book images retrieved from amazon.com on October 18, 2010. All book titles, Dewey numbers and author names retrieved from Harper-Archer Middle School Media Center on October 13, 2010.