A guide to the Dewey Decimal Classification Scheme
This library uses the Dewey Decimal Classification scheme (DDC) to arrange
books and other library materials on the shelves so they may be easily
retrieved. It is used in many libraries and allows items about the same subject
to be shelved together.
How does the Dewey Decimal system work?
DDC is an hierarchical number system that organizes all human knowledge
into ten main categories. These are:
000
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
Generalities (includes computing)
Philosophy
Religion
Social sciences
Languages
Natural sciences and mathematics
Technology (applied science)
The arts
Literature
Geography and history
Each main category is then divided into ten sub-categories. For example:
500
510
520
530
540
550
560
570
580
590
Natural sciences and mathematics
Mathematics
Astronomy
Physics
Chemistry
Earth sciences
Palaeontology
Life sciences
Plants
Animals
Each sub-category is then also divided into ten specific topics. For example:
530
531
532
533
534
535
536
537
538
539
Physics
Solid mechanics
Fluid mechanics
Pneumatics
Sound
Light
Heat
Electricity
Magnetism
Modern physics
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Each of these topics may be further divided into more specific subject areas.
A decimal point is used after the first three digits to separate the specific
subjects - it also makes the numbers easier to read. You will see that as the
subject becomes more specific, so does the numbering. For example:
534
534.1
534.2
534.22
534.23
Sound
Generation of sound
Transmission of sound
Transmission of sound in solids
Transmission of sound in liquids
DDC at Oxford Brookes
When an item arrives in the library it is assigned a DDC number, often called
the “classmark” or “shelfmark”. Each of the numbers in this shelfmark has a
meaning and is not assigned randomly.
For example, the book “The Royal doctors 1485-1714” by Elizabeth Furdell
has been assigned the shelfmark 610.6952094205 FUR. These numerals
indicate:
610
610.6
610.69
610.695
610.6952
610.69520942
610.6952094205
= Medical sciences
= Professions
= Medical personnel
= Specific kinds of medical personnel
= Physicians
= Physicians in England and Wales
= Physicians in England and Wales 1485-1603
Most items will also be assigned some letters at the end of the numerals,
“FUR” in the above example. These are taken from the author’s surname or
the first word of the title.
Finding items on the shelves
The shelfmark will always have at least three numbers, followed by some
letters. It is usually displayed on the spine of the item, but is sometimes
placed on the front cover. Here are some examples:
361.
3
HIG
382.
63
COC
576
JON
599.
935
PHI
647.
944
21
LON
823.
914
BAI/B
The DDC system places items about the same subject at the same number.
This means that once you have identified the DDC number for the subject you
are interested in, you can browse the shelves at that number.
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On each shelf the items are arranged in a numerical sequence from left to
right by their DDC number. Where several items have an identical DDC
number, the letters are used to further arrange them. For example,
361.
3
HIG
361.
32
BOR
361.
32
STO
363.
35
CIV
363.
377
PRE
363.
377
PRO
Beware of separate sequences
If you are looking for a specific item you should check the library catalogue
and make a note of the full shelfmark (numbers and letters) and any words
that appear before the shelfmark. The majority of library materials are shelved
together but there are several separate sequences that are kept in different
areas, but which are all indicated on the Library catalogue. Look out for
sequences such as Pamphlet, Oversize, Local Collection, Short Loan, Music
Scores, Quick Reference, Subject Floor Quick Reference.
Journals
Journals are also shelved in a separate section. The same DDC numbers are
used, but the catalogue shows these items with a shelfmark that is preceded
by a “J”, and which only has one letter after the numbers. For example, the
journal “Nursing Standard” has the shelfmark J 610.73 N.
And finally … Art and Architecture materials
When looking for items in this area you may be confused to find two
alphabetic sequences at the same number. For example, general items about
French architecture can be found at the shelfmark 724.90944 and have three
letters after the numbers. At the end of these come works about specific
French architects, at the same number 724.90944, but these have four letters
after the numbers. For example:
724.
909
44
FIR
724.
909
44
PRI
724.
909
44
ZYM
724.
909
44
BAR/M
724.
909
44
LEC/F
724.
909
44
LEC/M
This happens in some other areas in the 700s, so when checking the library
catalogue remember to make a note of the full shelfmark – numbers and
letters.
If you have any questions or would like more help, please ask a member of
library staff.
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Quick guide to Dewey numbers used in this library
This is only a brief guide to subjects. For more information, especially when
looking for specific items, please remember to check the library catalogue.
000
010
020
030
040
050
060
070
080
090
100
110
120
130
140
150
160
170
180
190
200
210
220
230
240
250
260
270
280
290
300
310
320
330
340
350
360
370
380
390
400
410
420
430
440
450
460
470
480
490
Generalities and Computing
Bibliography
Library and Information Science
Encyclopaedias
Not used
Not used
Organizations and Museums
Journalism and publishing
General knowledge
Manuscripts and rare books
Philosophy and Psychology
Metaphysics
Epistemology, causation
Paranormal phenomena
Specific philosophical schools
Psychology
Logic
Ethics and moral philosophy
Ancient, Medieval, Oriental philosophy
Modern western philosophy
Religion
Theory of religion
Bible
Christianity
Christian moral & devotional theology
Christian orders and local church
Social and ecclesiastical theology
Christian church history
Christian denominations and sects
Comparative religion
Social sciences
Collections of general statistics
Politics
Economics
Law
Public administration & military science
Social problems and services
Education
Commerce, communications, transport
Customs, etiquette, folklore
Language
Linguistics
English and Old English language
German language
French language
Italian and Romanian languages
Spanish and Portuguese languages
Latin language
Greek language
Other languages
500
510
520
530
540
550
560
570
580
590
600
610
620
630
640
650
660
670
680
690
700
710
720
730
740
750
760
770
780
790
800
810
820
830
840
850
860
870
880
890
900
910
920
930
940
950
960
970
980
990
Natural sciences and mathematics
Mathematics
Astronomy, cartography
Physics
Chemistry
Earth sciences, geology
Palaeontology
Life sciences, biology
Plants
Animals
Technology
Medical sciences
Engineering
Agriculture
Home economics, catering
Management
Chemical engineering, food technology
Manufacturing
Manufacture for specific uses
Building
The arts
Planning – urban, rural, transport
Architecture
Sculpture, pottery, ceramics
Drawing and decorative arts
Painting and paintings
Graphic arts
Photography
Music
Entertainment, recreation, sport
Literature
American literature
English literature
German literature
French literature
Italian literature
Spanish literature
Latin literature
Greek Literature
Literature of other languages
Geography and history
Geography and travel
Biography
History of the ancient world
History of Europe
History of Asia
History of Africa
History of North America
History of South America
History of other areas
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