Finding books in the library
Newman University College Library uses the Dewey Decimal Classification system to
arrange its books and other items on the shelves. The Dewey system is a numerical
system that classifies books, etc according to subject areas.
There are ten main classes: 000 – 990, which correspond to broad areas of
knowledge. Each broad area is subdivided into particular subject areas which are
assigned specific numbers; e.g.150 for Psychology
Each area may be further subdivided to identify particular subject area themes and
topics; e.g.158 for Applied Psychology. Further specification of a subject may also
occur in the form of a number or a sequence of numbers located after a decimal
point; e.g.: 158.2 for interpersonal behaviour
Identifying the Dewey number in the library catalogue
The library catalogue is accessible via the library homepage at
www.newman.ac.uk/library. You can carry out a basic search of the library catalogue
by ‘Keyword’, ‘Title’ or ‘Author’.
After conducting a search you can find out the Dewey number for an item – this is
called a ‘Shelfmark’ on the catalogue – by clicking on ‘Show Copies’, as shown below
Many shelfmark numbers have a three-letter suffix which corresponds to the
beginning of the author’s surname or an edited book’s title. As shown below:
Some shelfmark numbers will also have a lettered prefix which corresponds to a
specific collection in the library, for example Reference, as shown below:
Both suffixes and any prefixes are important as they further help you locate a book
or other item. When noting down the shelfmark, it is always useful to make a note of
the title of the book as well, so if you have any trouble finding it, a member of library
staff will be able to help you locate it more quickly.
Should you require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact a member of
staff at the library’s Enquiry Desk, or email: library-enquiries@newman.ac.uk
000
Computer science, knowledge
and systems
100
Philosophy and psychology
010
020
030
040
050
060
070
080
090
Bibliographies
Library and information sciences
Encyclopaedias and books of facts
Magazines, journals and serials
News media, journalism & publishing
Quotations
Manuscripts and rare books
110
120
130
140
150
160
170
180
190
Metaphysics
Epistemology
Parapsychology and occultism
Philosophical schools of thought
Psychology
Logic
Ethics
200
Religion
300
Social sciences, sociology &
anthropology
210
220
230
240
250
260
270
280
290
Philosophy and theory of religion
The Bible
Christianity and Christian theology
Christian practice and observance
Christian pastoral practice and orders
Christian organisation and worship
History of Christianity
Christian denominations
Other religions
310
320
330
340
350
360
370
380
390
Statistics
Political science
Economics
Law
400
Language
500
Science
410
420
430
440
450
460
470
480
490
Linguistics
English and Old English Languages
German and related languages
French and related languages
Other languages
510
520
530
540
550
560
570
580
590
Mathematics
Astronomy
Physics
Chemistry
Earth sciences and geology
Fossils and prehistoric life
Life sciences/biology
Plants/Botany
Animals/Zoology
600
Technology
700
Arts and recreation
610
620
630
640
650
660
670
680
690
Medicine and health
Engineering
Agriculture
Home and family management
Management and public relations
Chemical engineering
Manufacturing
Manufacture for specific uses
Building and construction
710
720
730
740
750
760
770
780
790
Landscaping and area planning
Architecture
Sculpture, ceramics and metalwork
Drawing and decorative arts
Painting
Graphic arts
Photography and computer art
Music
Sports, games and entertainment
800
Literature
900
History and geography
810
820
830
840
850
860
870
880
890
American literature in English
English and Old English literatures
German and related literatures
French and related literatures
910
920
930
940
950
960
970
980
990
Geography and travel
Biography and genealogy
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
Associations, organisations and museums
Italian, Romanian and related languages
Spanish and Portuguese languages
Latin and Italic languages
Classical and modern Greek languages
Italian, Romanian and related literatures
Spanish and Portuguese literatures
Latin and Italic literatures
Classical and modern Greek literatures
Other literatures
Ancient, medieval and eastern philosophy
Modern western philosophy
Public administration and military service
Social problems and social services
Education
Commerce, communications and transport
Customs, etiquette and folklore