1. Dewey Decimal Classification System
Presented to Second & Third Grade Students
Developed by Karen Ward
Library Media Specialist
Eichold-Mertz Elementary School

2. Who created the Dewey Decimal Classification System?
Melvil Dewey was born on December 10, 1851
Melvil Dewey created the number order system for library books when he was 21 years old.
Melvil Dewey started the first school for librarians.

3. Ten Main Classifications in Dewey’s System
The world’s knowledge is divided into 10 categories or groups.
Each group has a main title and is represented by three numbers.

4. The Big Ten! Generalities – 000 Philosophy – 100 Religion – 200
Social Science – 300
Language – 400
Science & Math – 500
Technology – 600
The Arts – 700
Literature – 800
Geography & History - 900
Brings order to the massive amount of world knowledge

5. You Can Judge A Book by Its Cover!
The Dewey Decimal Classification call number can be found on the spine label.
Why?
When the book is shelved, the Dewey Decimal Classification call number can be easily seen.
200Bya
500
Lee
000
Mea

6. Generalities - 000 Encyclopedias News media Rare Books
Encyclopedias, References

7. Philosophy - 100
Paranormal phenomena
Psychology
Logic
Man thinks

8. Religion - 200
Bible
History of Christianity
Other Religions
About God

9. Social Science - 300
Law
Education
Folklore
About man’s neighbors

10. Language - 400 English Spanish Other Languages
Man talks with other men

11. Natural Science & Math - 500
Mathematics
Earth sciences
Plants
Animals
Man discovers all that is around him

12. Technology – 600 Medicine Agriculture Family living
Man makes useful things

13. The Arts - 700 Drawing Music Recreational & performing arts
Man makes beautiful things

14. Literature - 800 American Literature Old English Literature
Literatures of Other Languages
Man writes

15. Geography & History - 900 Geography Biographies Ancient History
Man writes about
travel, people, and
events

16. Flashback! What Do You Remember?
Who created the Dewey Decimal Classification System?
What does the DDCS do for our library?
How many main classifications are there?
Where do you find the DDCS number on a library book?

17. Resources Used… All clipart taken from the Microsoft Clipart web site:
Information on the Dewey Decimal Classification taken from:
Weisburg, H. & Toor, R. Teacher’s Portfolio of Library Skills Lessons & Activities (1985). The Center for Applied Research in Education, Inc.