Dewey Decimal System

Melville Dewey and his System

http://www.barnstable.k12.ma.us/mme/news/studentinvestigations/WebQuests/dewey/images/dewey.gif

Melville Dewey’s Childhood• Melville Louis Kossuth was born

December 10, 1851 in New York.• As a child he was drawn to

mathematics and enjoyed classification systems.

• Melville’s family could not afford to send him to school, but at age 19 he went and attended Amherst College.

• He worked in the library there to fund his education

• http://www.nisk.k12.ny.us/birchwood/links/DeweyImages/melvildewey.jpg

Classification Before Dewey• Before Dewey, Classification systems

used a fixed design.• Each book was given a specific spot

on the shelf.• Books and shelves had to be

reclassified with each addition to the collection.

• No two libraries used the same system.

http://www.library.appstate.edu/blog/images/books.gif

Father of Modern Librarianship• Dewey invented the Dewey Decimal

System when he was only 21.• This system is based off of subjects

and numbers, making it easy for one to categorize and shelve books.

• Amherst College was the first to adopt his modernized system.

http://www.scarygoround.com/images/shop-deweydecimal.png

The Classifications000-099

Computer Science, Information, and General Works:

EncyclopediasGeneral Reference WorksComputer science MagazinesOddities

http://www.ala.org/img/alonline/computer%20guy.jpg

The Classifications100-199

Philosophy, Parapsychology and Occultism, Psychology:

Schools of thoughtHuman natureWitchcraftDivinatory arts

http://www.bruceeisner.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/06/13/psychology.jpg

The Classifications200-299Religion

TheoriesDenominationsReligious ethicsDoctrinesReligious practices

http://www.kyle-brady.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/religion.gif

The Classifications300-399

Social SciencesLawPolitical ScienceCustomsFolkloreSocial problems and services

http://www.worldofstock.com/slides/MES3792.jpg

The Classifications400-499

LanguageBilingualismAll spoken languagesAll written languages

http://ocw.mit.edu/NR/rdonlyres/Brain-and-Cognitive-Sciences/9-402Language-and-ThoughtFall2002/072036C6-6082-47E2-A7A8-7C19F9CDD290/0/chp_9_402.gif

The Classifications500-599

Natural Sciences and MathematicsMathematicsAstronomyEarth sciencesBiologyPlantsAnimals

http://www.cartage.org.lb/en/themes/Sciences/Zoology/AnimalPhysiology/Anatomy/Anatomy/animalcell.jpg

The Classifications600-699

Technology (Applied Sciences)MedicineHealthAgricultureManagement Chemical EngineeringBuildings

http://www.dennisholmesdesigns.com/siteimages/doctor.jpg

The Classifications700-799

The Arts (Fine and Decorative)LandscapeSculptureMusicGraphic artsDrawingPaintingPhotography http://www.sdnp.org.gy/artsf/logo3.jpg

The Classifications800-899

Literature and RhetoricDramaPoetryFictionSpeechesLettersHumorEssays

http://www.rebeccathornburgh.com/books/images/shelfelfhelpsbig.jpg

The Classifications900-999

History, Geography, and Auxiliary Disciplines

GeographyTravelGenealogyHistory of places

http://www.dryiceinfo.com/immages/history.gif

The LegacyDewey died at age 80 and 7 decades

after his death, he is still known for the most widely used library classification system In the world.

http://distexas.pbwiki.com/f/AnnesDaisy.JPG

ReferencesOnline Computer Library Center, Inc. (2008). How one

library pioneer profoundly influenced modern librarianship. Retrieved March 29, 2009, from http://www.oclc.org/dewey/resources/biography

Patschke, Kristen. (2000, December 12). Melvil Dewey: the father of librarianship. Retrieved March 29, 2009, from http:www.booktalking.net/books/dewey/