Understanding the Dewey Decimal

System

Belinda Callahan

ScopeThis presentation will

introduce the Dewey Decimal System to third through fifth grade students. The goal is to empower students to be confident and successful when locating nonfiction books in the media center.

Dewey Pretest for Students

Who was Dewey? Melvil Dewey was born on December 10, 1851. While working as an university student assistant, he invented his system. He also established the American Library Association and the first library school.

Why a system? Dewey wanted a way to organize books the same way in all libraries. This way patrons can find books easily no matter what library they visit.

Books, Books, and More BooksMost of the books in the media center can be

divided into two groups: FICTION and NONFICTION.

FICTION books are from an author’s imagination and are not true.

Most NONFICTION books are true and about real things, people, events, and places. But some books in the nonfiction section are also fiction, such as folk and fairy tales, poetry, plays, and even jokes and riddles.

What’s a Call Number?

FICTION books have a “F” (for fiction) on the top row and the first three letters of the author’s last number. The books are then arranged alphabetically using the last three letters of the author’s last.

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Call numbers help you find book in the media center. Each book has a call number and it is shelved by using this number. You will find call numbers on the book’s spine.

Use the link below to see how well you can shelve fiction books.

The Shelve-It Game

What’s a Call Number?NONFICTION books have call numbers with two parts. The first part is the Dewey decimal number and it is chosen using the book’s subject. The second part is the first three letters of the author’s last name. Nonfiction books are shelved first by the numbers on the top row, and then alphabetically by the letters on the bottom row.

Use the link below to see how well you can shelve nonfiction books.

Dewey Number Order Game610.69

HAY

What Does that Dewey Number

Mean?Nonfiction books are grouped by subjects. The Dewey Decimal system has ten categories beginning with the 000’s and ending with the 900’s.

Let’s learn the categories and find some books in our media center.

000’s – 099’s General WorksYou will find books about . . .

000’s – 099’s General WorksBooks you will find . . .

100’s – 199’s Philosophy & Psychology

You will find books about . . .

100’s – 199’s Philosophy & Psychology

Books you will find . . .

200’s – 299’s ReligionYou will find books about . . .

200’s – 299’s ReligionBooks you will find . . .

300’s – 399’s Social SciencesYou will find books about . . .

300’s – 399’s Social SciencesBooks you will find . . .

400’s – 499’s LanguageYou will find books about . . .

400’s – 499’s LanguageBooks you will find . . .

500’s – 599’s Natural Sciences & Mathematics

You will find books about . . .

500’s – 599’s Natural Sciences & Mathematics

Books you will find . . .

600’s – 699’s Applied SciencesYou will find books about . . .

600’s – 699’s Applied SciencesBooks you will find . . .

700’s – 799’s Fine ArtsYou will find books about . . .

700’s – 799’s Fine ArtsBooks you will find . . .

800’s – 899’s LiteratureYou will find books about . . .

800’s – 899’s LiteratureBooks you will find . . .

900’s – 999’s History & Geography

You will find books about . . .

900’s – 999’s History & Geography

Books you will find . . .

Doing the Dewey

First click on the link below:

Test Your Knowledge

Now let’s have some fun! Click on the links below to play “Dewey” games:Dewey Concentration GameDewey Challenge GameWhere in the Library Is My Book?Fiction or NonfictionCan You Do the Dewey?

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