Understanding Understanding Dewey!Dewey!

Everything you wanted to know

about finding materials in the library media

center!

Libraries Begin

It was during the 1800’s that libraries were beginning to spring up around the country. The printing press had made more and more books available to the general public, and more and more people were learning to read.

A Problem Evolves

Melvil Dewey was a very bright but frustrated librarian. As more and more books were added to his library collection, he found it difficult to locate materials.

Being a resourceful young man, he decided to create a standardized numbering system for classifying nonfiction books in a library.

How Should Dewey Start?

Dewey wanted a system that put subjects into ten basic areas. (That’s because our numbering system is based on “ten”.) He wanted each book to have a specific number on the book spine so that the book would have a specific location on a library shelf.

If he used decimals with his base ten numbering system, he figured he could create detailed numbers for detailed subjects.

Dewey Classification

100’s 200’s 300’s

400’s 500’s 600’s

700’s 800’s 900’s

And……….

000’s

These are the basic ten sections of every library that uses the Dewey Decimal System. And, most libraries for schools and the public use this system.

Subjects ?

Dewey chose his ten basic subject areas by pretending to be a caveman. What kind of questions would the “first man” ask?

Dewey also wanted to be able to include subjects that were yet to be created due to future technology. (Smart guy, huh?)

What are the subjects What are the subjects associated with these associated with these

ten areas?ten areas?

Take a look…..

100’s

Who Am I?

This section provides information about …

Philosophy & Psychology

Self-esteem Ethics Logic Astrology

200’s

Where did I come from?

This sections provides information about…

Religion & Mythology

• Bible

• Religious books of all sects

• Religious history

• Mythology

300’s

What about others?

This sections provides information about…

Social Sciences

Government & laws Economics Social Groups & Problems Education Careers Folklore Customs Holidays

400’s

How do I communicate with others?

This sections provides information about…

Language

Linguistics Dictionaries All Languages:

– German– French– Italian– Spanish,– Latin,– Greek– Sign

500’s

What about the world around me?

This sections provides information about…

Natural Science & Mathematics

Mathematics Forces of Nature:

– Astronomy– Physics– Chemistry

Earth Sciences Weather Paleontology Life Sciences Plants Animals

600’s

How can I use natural

things in the world to

improve my life?

This sections provides information about…

Technology

Farming Medicine Engineering Manufacturing Business

Cooking Sewing Pets Building

700’s

How can I enjoy

my leisure time?

This sections provides information about…

Fine Arts & Recreation

Art Music Dance Films Hobbies Sports

800’s

What are man’s greatest thoughts & deeds?

This sections provides

information about…

Literature

Poetry Plays Jokes & Riddles

900’s

What has man recorded about his history?

This section

provides information about…

Geography & History

Geography & travel Individual biographies Group biographies History of Ancient World Histories by area

000’s

Where do items that don’t seem to fit in any of the other nine sections get placed?

This is where you would find…

Generalities

General Encyclopedias Library Science Miscellaneous (for example: Bigfoot,

UFO’s) They are not really fiction or nonfiction.

What about Subdivisions?

Each of these ten general subject areas can be subdivided indefinitely. The more specific the number, the more specific the subject.

For example:

Subdivision Example:

900’sHistory 970’sHistory of North America 979’sRocky Mountain Area 979.2 State of Utah

Got the picture? From large to small, or from general to specific. We could keep going….

How Are Dewey Numbers Assigned?

Every library uses the Dewey Decimal Classification Book.

This book has all of the number divisions and subdivision listed.

The librarian uses this book to select the correct Dewey Decimal Number for each title in the library.

Find that Book!

Look up a title in the library computer. Write down the Dewey Decimal Number. Go to the nonfiction section of the library. Follow along the shelves numerically until

you locate the book. All books on the same subject will be

placed together on the shelf. Thank You, Melvil Dewey!