Dewey Decimal Classification System
Developed by Karen Ward
Library Media Specialist
Eichold-Mertz Elementary School
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.
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.
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
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.
500Lee
200Bya
000Mea
Generalities - 000
EncyclopediasNews mediaRare Books
Encyclopedias, References
Philosophy - 100
Paranormal phenomenaPsychologyLogic
Man thinks
Religion - 200
BibleHistory of ChristianityOther Religions, Myths
About God
Social Science - 300
LawEducationFolklore
About man’s neighbors
Language - 400
EnglishSpanishOther Languages
Man talks with other men
Natural Science & Math - 500
MathematicsEarth sciencesPlantsAnimals
Man discovers all that is around him
Technology – 600
MedicineAgricultureFamily living
Man makes useful things
The Arts - 700
Drawing MusicRecreational & performing
arts
Man makes beautiful things
Literature - 800
American LiteratureOld English LiteratureLiteratures of Other Languages
Man writes
Geography & History - 900
GeographyBiographiesAncient History
Man writes about travel, people, and events
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?
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.
http://office.microsoft.com/clipart/default.aspx?lc=en-us&cag=1
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