The Dewey Decimal System

Information Skills Standards

Competency Goal 1: The learner will EXPLORE sources and formats for reading, listening,and viewing purposes.

Competency Goal 2: The learner will IDENTIFY and USE criteria for excellence to evaluate information and formats.

Facts about the Dewey Decimal System

• Invented by Meville Dewey in1876, over 100 years ago!

• Libraries all over the world still use his system.• The Dewey Decimal System is used with

nonfiction books. • Books are grouped by subject to make it easier

to find all possible information on one subject.

Call Numbers

• Each book is assigned a call number. • Call numbers are made up of numbers and

letters.• Numbers represent the subject area. • The letters come from the first three letters of

the author’s last name.

Subject Groups

• There are ten broad groups in the Dewey Decimal System.

• Each group contains subgroups; these subgroups are numbered by tens (10, 20, 30, etc.)

• You will need to learn only the ten broad groups.

000s- General Works

• Encyclopedias• Almanacs• Books on

unexplained subjects like aliens!

100s- Philosophy & Psychology

• Books in this category explain how we think and feel.

• Optical illusion books• Q & A books• Books about our

brain

200s- Religion & Mythology

• Books in this category contain information about different religions.

• They also have religious stories, like Bible stories.

• Greek & Roman myths can be found in this group.

300s-Social Sciences

• Books in this category give information about how people live together.

• Subjects such as holidays and customs can be found here.

• A special group to remember: 398.2 (Folktales, fairy tales, & fables)

400s-Language & Grammar

• Books in this group provide information about different languages (Spanish, French, German, etc.)

• This group also contains information about grammar (nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc.)

500s-Science

• Books in this group provide information about things in nature.

• Subjects include plants, animals (like dinosaurs), space, & mathematics.

600s-Technology

• Books in this group tell about technology invented by humans.

• Subjects include computers, cars, airplanes, space travel, & medicine.

700s-Arts & Recreation

• Books in this group tell about how people have fun!

• Subjects include art, drawing, music, crafts, joke books, and sports.

800s-Literature

• Books in this group are stories, plays, & poetry.

• An important subgroup to remember is 811 (Poetry)!

900s-Geography & History

• Books in this group give information about events in the past and places around the world.

• Subjects include American history, explorers, Native Americans, & atlases.

Now, let’s review!

• Look at the tub of books and cards on your table.

• As a group, match the Dewey Decimal subject numbers with the correct book.

• When your group is finished, give me a thumbs up.

• You may use the next slide for help.

Dewey Decimal Groups

• 000s-General Works• 100s-Philosophy &

Psychology• 200s-Religion &

Mythology• 300s-Social Sciences• 400s-Languages• 500s-Science & Math• 600s-Technology

• 700s-Arts & Recreation• 800s-Literature• 900s-Geography &

History

Remember…

• Nonfiction books are organized using the Dewey Decimal System.

• Books are grouped by subject.• There are ten general groups. • Books receive a call number which is made up

of a subject number and the first three letters of the author’s last name.

Information for this presentation found at…

http://www.mikids.com/Deweygroups.htm

http://www.scottpublib.org/dragon/Dewey.html

http://www.breitlinks.com/dewey_for_kids.htm