The Dewey Decimal System
Ruben L. Barkley
MEDT 6463
Fall 2008
Scope
This presentation is designed to familiarize faculty and
staff with the Dewey Decimal System by exploring…
• Melville Dewey
• Dewey’s classification system
• Dewey’s classification structure
2
Scope
Upon conclusion, viewers should be able to…
• Explain Dewey Decimal Classification system
• Identify 10 key classifications
• Recognize Dewey Classifications based upon call numbers
3
Dewey’s Origins
• Named after Melville Louis Kossuth Dewey, the father of American
library science.
– Born December 10, 1851
– Highly interested in simplifying spelling and classifying
• Shortened his name to Melvil Dui
• Invented Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) system at the age of 21
• Changed librarianship from a vocation to a modern profession.
– Helped establish American Library Association in 1876
– Founded a library school in 1883
– Co-founded and edited Library Journal
4
Dewey Defined
Nonfictional classification publication system
used by more than 85% of U.S. libraries.
• Provides logical system for organizing each item in a library’s unique collection using
10 simple categories.
• Leverages 3-digit number (Call Numbers) followed by decimal points.
• Allows publication shelving by number.
• Offers users familiarity and consistency in locating key materials.
5
Logical Classification System…
Structure
Dewey is divided into 10 main classes that cover the entire world of knowledge.
Further divided into divisions
With each division divided into 10 sections.
DDC’s main structure is presented in summaries.
1. The first summary contains the 10 main classes; Ex: 6
of 600 represents Technology.
2. The second summary contains the hundreds division;
Ex: 1 of 610 represents Medicine and Health.
3. The third summary contains the thousands section; Ex:
2 of 612 represents human physiology.
Decimal points following the 3rd number
for a specific degree of classification.
6
Logical Classification System…
Classes
000’s
General
Works
500’s
Science
100’s
Philosophy
&
Psychology
600’s
Technology
400’s
200’s
300’s
Religion
Social
Sciences
Language
800’s
900’s
700’s
Arts
&
Recreation
Literature
History &
Geography
7
What is a Call Number?
1. An alphanumeric code which identifies the shelf location
of an item in the library.
2. A combination of letters and numbers assigned to each
book, microform, recording or other material.
3. The letters and/or numbers used by a library to classify
and arrange materials.
004
190
200
305
8
000 General Works & Knowledge
Knowledge –
1.acquaintance with facts, truths, or principles, as
from study or investigation; general erudition:
knowledge of many things.
2.familiarity or conversance, as with a particular
subject or branch of learning.
9
000 General Works & Knowledge
004
004
Describes the history of the computer;
aspects of modern life in which computers
play a role; the future of directions of
computer technology, and cyber threats
such as viruses and spyware.
Presents a short history of the computer
by examining the abacus and slide rule.
10
100 Philosophy and Psychology
Philosophy –
The rational investigation of the truths and
principles of being, knowledge, or conduct.
Psychology –
1. The science of the mind or of mental states and processes.
2. The science of human and animal behavior.
11
100 Philosophy and Psychology
190
Contrasts the enlightenment period in
Europe, France, and America, discussing
how important advances, writings, and
discoveries during the era contributed
through the modern world.
172
Deepak Chopra presents the argument
that in order to stop war, governments
must stop thinking of war as a means to
peace, but peace itself as the only true
way to bring harmony to the world.
12
200 Religion
Religion –
1.a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the
universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency
or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and
often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2.a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed
upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the
Buddhist religion
13
200 Religion
200
Over 20 essays arguing opposing sides on issues
regarding religion in America.
http://www.amazon.com/Religion-America-Viewpoints-WilliamDudley/dp/1565100026/ref=sr_11_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1225843446&sr=11-1
201
Closely examines religion’s role in the politics of
the United States and Canada while addressing
issues such as abortion, homosexuality, stem-cell
research and more.
14
300 Social Sciences
Social Science –
1. the study of society and social behavior.
2. a science or field of study, as history, economics, etc.,
dealing with an aspect of society or forms of social activity.
15
300 Social Sciences
305.8
306
Describes the increasing cultural diversity
in America.
Takes a close look at the unique
financial, political, and cultural issues
in the United States facing the 21st and
how those issues will impact the future.
http://www.amazon.com/Overview-MulticulturalAmerica-MerylLoonin/dp/1560067667/ref=sr_11_1?ie=UTF8&qid=122584
3609&sr=11-1
16
400 Language
Language –
1. a body of words and the systems for their use common to a people
who are of the same community or nation, the same geographical area,
or the same cultural tradition.
2. communication by voice in the distinctively human manner, using
arbitrary sounds in conventional ways with conventional meanings;
speech.
17
400 Language
418
423
Provides basic information about linguistics for language
arts teachers, and discusses phonemes, the English
phonological systems, and sentence structure.
http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Linguistics-Reading-SpellingPhonics/dp/0325002746/ref=sr_11_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1225843759&sr
=11-1
Examines unique relationship between J.R.R.
Tolkien’s early professional development in the
compilation of the “Oxford English Dictionary”
and linguistic creativity demonstrated in his
writings.
18
500 Science
Science –
1.a branch of knowledge or study dealing with a body of facts
or truths systematically arranged and showing the operation of
general laws: the mathematical sciences.
2.systematic knowledge of the physical or material world
gained through observation and experimentation.
19
500 Science
509.4
Describes several areas of science and
technology in medieval times including
agriculture, textiles, home building,
and more…
537
Contains electricity and magnetism
projects for science fairs or recreation
or simple materials used around homes
or schools.
20
600 Technology
Technology –
1.the branch of knowledge that deals with the creation and use of
technical means and their interrelation with life, society, and the
environment, drawing upon such subjects as industrial arts, engineering,
applied science, and pure science.
2.the terminology of an art, science, etc.; technical nomenclature.
21
600 Technology
608
Chronicles history and development of
invention and technology from
prehistoric times to present and
examines the technological impact on
industry and civilization.
609
Provides a history of technology
including profiles and essays on key
subjects and trends.
22
700 Arts and Recreation
Arts –
1.the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic
principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary
significance.
2.the class of objects subject to aesthetic criteria; works of art
collectively, as paintings, sculptures, or drawings: a museum of art; an
art collection.
Recreation 1.refreshment by means of some pastime, agreeable exercise, or the like.
2.a pastime, diversion, exercise, or other resource affording relaxation
and enjoyment.
23
700 Arts and Recreation
780
Highlights chronology of friendship
between Russian composer Dmitri
Shostakovich and Joseph Stalin, discussing
how Stalin used their friendship to exploit
Shostakovich’s work and mental
instabilities.
700
Examines wide range of poems, essays,
novels, films, and operas, to determine what
late style may explain about the evolution
of creative life, discussing how writers and
musicians and their work are influenced by
approaching death.
24
800 Literature
Literature –
1.writings in which expression and form, in connection with
ideas of permanent and universal interest, are characteristic
or essential features, as poetry, novels, history, biography,
and essays.
2.the entire body of writings of a specific language, period,
people, etc.: the literature of England.
25
800 Literature
809
Profiles 270 historical literary works from
around the globe providing plot summaries,
descriptions, and critical evaluations.
820.9
Recounts the story of the first shout heard
on a Turkey mountain; the shout of ten
thousand. Stories as described by Athenian
historian and philosopher, Xenophon.
26
900 History and Geography
History –
1.the branch of knowledge dealing with past events.
2.a continuous, systematic narrative of past events as relating to a particular people,
country, period, person, etc., usually written as a chronological account; chronicle: a
history of France; a medical history of the patient.
Geography –
1.the science dealing with the areal differentiation of the earth's surface, as shown in the
character, arrangement, and interrelations over the world of such elements as climate,
elevation, soil, vegetation, population, land use, industries, or states, and of the unit
areas formed by the complex of these individual elements.
2.the study of this science.
27
900 History and Geography
940.55
Presents collections of essays and speeches
by prominent figures such as Ronald
Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev along with
others who played a pivotal role in the
Cold War.
973.07
Explores over 200 historical events
reflected in a variety of different ways
including the Boston Massacre, Civil War
and Stock market Crash of 1929.
28
References
Bunch, B., & Hellemans, A. (1993). The timetables of technology : a
chronology of the most important people and events in the history of
technology . New York: Simon & Schuster.
Chopra, D. (2005). Peace is the way : bringing war and violence to an end ().
New York: Harmony Books.
Dudley, W. (2002). Religion in America : opposing viewpoints . San Diego:
Greenhaven Press.
Enriquez, J. (2005). The untied states of America : polarization, fracturing,
and our future . New York: Crown.
Findon, J., & Groves, M. (2005). Science and technology in the Middle Ages .
New York: Crabtree.
29
References
Freeman, D. E., & Freeman, Y. S. (2004). Essential linguistics : what you need to know to
teach reading, ESL, spelling, phonics, and grammar . Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
Gardner, R. (1994). Science projects about electricity and magnets . Berkley Heights, NJ:
Enslow.
Georgia Department of Education. (2008). Georgia Standards. Atlanta: Author. Retrieved
November 3, 2008, from http://www.georgiastandards.org/SearchResults.aspx
Gilliver, P., Marshall, J., & Weiner, E. (2006). The ring of words : Tolkien and the Oxford
English dictionary . New York: Oxford University Press.
Hay, J. T. (2005). Living through the end of the Cold War . Detroit: Greenhaven Press.
Himmelfarb, G. (2204). The roads to modernity : the British, French, and American
enlightenments . New York: Random House.
30
References
Loonin, M. (2004). Multicultural America. San Diego: Lucent Books.
Magill, F. N. (1989). Masterpieces of world literature. New York:
HarperCollins
McIntosh, K., & McIntosh, M. (2006). When religion & politics mix : how
matters of faith influence political policies . Philadelphia: Mason Crest.
Rood, T. (2005). The sea! The sea! : the shout of the ten thousand in the
modern imagination . Woodstock, NY: Duckworth Overlook.
Rooney, A. (2006). Computers: faster, smaller, and smarter. Chicago:
Heinemann Library.
Said, E. (2006). On late style : music and literature against the grain. New
York: Pantheon Books.
31
References
Somervill, B. A. (2006). The history of the computer. Chanhassen, MN: The
Child's World.
Volkov, S. (2004). Shostakovich and Stalin : the extraordinary relationship
between the great composer and the brutal dictator . New York: Random
House.
Ward, K. (2006). History in the making : an absorbing look at how American
history has changed in the telling over the last 200 years . New York:
W.W.Horton.
Washington : Smithsonian Institution . (1978). The Smithsonian book of
invention. . New York: W. W. Norton.
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