Dewey Decimal Classification

System

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

You Can Judge A Book by It’s 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

•Encyclopedias•News media•Rare Books

Encyclopedias, Reference Books

Philosophy - 100

•Paranormal phenomena•Psychology•Logic

Religion - 200

•Bible•History of Christianity•Other Religions

Social Science - 300

•Law•Education•Folklore

Language - 400

• English• Spanish• Other Languages

Natural Science & Math - 500

•Mathematics•Earth sciences•Plants•Animals

Technology – 600

•Medicine•Agriculture•Family living

The Arts - 700

•Drawing •Music•Recreational & performing arts

Literature - 800

•American Literature•Old English Literature•Literatures of Other Languages

Geography & History - 900

•Geography•Biographies•Ancient History

Review 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