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Contents
IntroductionAnatomy of a Call NumberSpecial Location LabelsDewey NumberCutter NumberWork MarkPutting it TogetherQuizzesOther ResourcesGlossaryWeb Resources
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The Dewey Decimal Number
The Dewey Decimal Classification System, devised by Melvil Dewey in 1873, is a system for organizing library materials by subject discipline. Subject areas are divided into ten classes:
- 000-099 Generalities
- 100-199 Philosophy and Psychology
- 200-299 Religion
- 300-399 Social Sciences
- 400-499 Language
- 500-599 Natural Sciences and Mathematics
- 600-699 Technology(Applied Sciences)
- 700-799 Arts
- 800-899 Literature and Rhetoric
- 900-999 Geography and History
These classes are further subdivided into more specific categories. For example, within the
- 800-899 Literature and Rhetoric class,
- 820-830 contains material specifically on English Literature and Rhetoric,
- 822 narrows it to works of English Drama, and
- 822.33 is the works of Shakespeare.
By assigning related subjects similar call numbers, the Dewey Decimal System helps to keep material for similar disciplines together. There are, however, some fields that draw on knowledge from many different disciplines--therefore, don't expect all books on one subject to be shelved in one place! Material about Airports, for example, can be found in:
- Social Sciences(general--387.726)
- Arts(architecture of--725.39)
- and Applied Sciences(construction of--690.539)
It all depends on the specific focus of the work
Quick QuizTo answer, click on the appropriate button next to your answer. (Incorrect answers will provide feedback too!)
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