Dewey Decimal Classification System

Melvil Dewey invented the Dewey Decimal Classification System in 1876.

Brilliant!

The Dewey Decimal Classification System is often abbreviated as

DDC

Classification systems help keep items organized.

The Dewey Decimal Classification System was invented to help keep books on a library shelf organized!

Classification definition:

Putting items with similar qualities in a group.

In the DDC system, a group of similar items is called a class.

How the Dewey Decimal Classification System Works:

Dewey came up with 10 Main Classes for organizing books.

He assigned a number and a subject for each of the 10 main classes.

10 Main Classes of the Dewey Decimal Classification System

Class Number Class Subject

000 – 099 Generalities : Encyclopedias, Computers, Libraries,

100 – 199 Psychology/Philosophy: Ghosts, Dreams, Supernatural, Feelings

200 – 299 Religion: Bible Stories, Mythology, World Religions

300 – 399 Social Science: Money, Transportation, Government, Folklore

400 – 499 Language: Grammar, Dictionaries, Thesauri, Foreign Languages

500 – 599 Natural Science/Mathematics: Weather, Animals, Electricity

600 – 699 Applied Science/Technology: Machines, Pet Care, Medicine,

700 – 799 Arts and Recreation: Drawing, Crafts, Music, Sports

800 – 899 Literature: Plays, Poetry, Short Stories

900 – 999 History/Geography: Explorers, Countries, Ancient Cultures

Each class is divided into 10 subclasses.

500 – 599 Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Subclass Number Subclass Subject 500 Pure Sciences

510 Mathematics 520 Astronomy 530 Physics 540 Chemistry 550 Earth sciences & geology 560 Fossils & prehistoric life 570 Life sciences; biology 580 Plants (Botany) 590 Body Systems Animals/Insects

Each subclass is divided into 10 sections.

590 Animals & Insects

Section Number Section Subject591 Body Systems of Animals and Insects 592 Zoology 593 Invertebrates, Worms 593 Sea Invertebrates, Coral 594 Mollusks, Octopus, Squid,

Snail 595 Insects, Spiders596 Vertebrates597 Fish, Amphibians, Frogs, Snakes 598 Reptiles and Birds 599 Mammals of the Land and Ocean

Using the Dewey Decimal Classification System, all nonfiction books are classified (grouped) by subject.

Books about similar subjects are placed together on the shelf.

Tigers Big Cats African Big Cats

The Decimal Point in the Dewey Decimal Classification System.

A decimal point is added after the first three numbers. There is no limit on how many numbers can be added after the decimal point.

The more numbers that are added after the decimal, the more specific the subject.

796.8153 = ???

The Dewey Decimal number is printed on a label and placed on the spine of the book. That’s whyIt’s called a spine label!

Spine Labels: 1) Contain the DDC number.

2) Contain the first three letters of the author’s last name .3) Guide the librarian to place the book in the correct order

on a shelf.

S

Sea Horse

By Sam Smith

597.53 SMI

597.5 JEN

597.51 KIN

597.52 MOR 597.53

SMI

How nice to have all the fish books together on the shelf!

Library books are shelved in Dewey Decimal Number order.

Library books are shelved in Dewey Decimal Number order. Discuss with your partner: Looking at the spine labels of the books below, which book is not in the correct order?

597.3 JEN

597.36 KIN

597.24 MOR 597.53

SMI

Bonus: Discuss with your partner-Look at these aisles in this grocery store. Describe how these products are classified.

So remember...

…Dewey Decimal Classification Library Books Have Class!