Dewey Decimal
Classification
400
000
300
200
100
Languages
Social Sciences
General Works, Computer Science, and Information
Religion
Philosophy & Psychology
900
500
800
700
600
Explain what this is here
History & Geography
Natural Sciences & Mathematics
Literature
The Arts & Recreation
Technology
Understanding the Dewey Decimal System: Your Guide to the Library Shelves
Game:
Video:
Test Your DDC knowledge
Dewey Decimal
Play
How to Use the DDC:
- Identify your subject: Decide what topic you’re interested in.
- Find the category number: Locate the main category number that corresponds to your subject.
- Get specific: Look for more specific numbers following the decimal to zero in on your topic.
Example:
Want a book on reptiles? Start at 500 (Science), move to 590 (Animals), and zoom into 597 (Reptiles).
Tip: Look for the Dewey Decimal number on the book’s spine label to find its exact location on the shelves.
DCC
THe Dewey Decimal system
The Dewey Decimal System is like a map for navigating the library. It helps you find books and materials quickly by sorting them into specific categories.
Who Was Dewey
100
Home
010 – Bibliographies
020 – Library & Information Sciences
030 – Encyclopedias & Books of Facts
040 – [Unassigned, formerly Biographies]
050 – Magazines, Journals & Serials
060 – Associations, Organizations & Museums
070 – News Media, Journalism & Publishing
080 – Quotations
090 – Manuscripts & Rare Books
000
General Works, Computer Science, & Information
200
0001
100
110 – Metaphysics
120 – Epistemology
130 – Parapsychology & Occultism
140 – Philosophical Schools of Thought
150 – Psychology
160 – Logic
170 – Ethics
180 – Ancient, Medieval, & Eastern Philosophy
190 – Modern Western Philosophy
Philosophy & Psychology
300
100
200
200 - Religion
210 - Philosophy & Theory of Religion
220 - The Bible
230 - Christianity & Christian Theology
240 - Christian Practice & Observance
250 - Christian Pastoral Practice & Religious Orders
260 - Christian Organization, Social Work & Worship
270 - History of Christianity
280 - Christian Denominations
290 - Other Religions
Religion
400
200
300
310 – Statistics
320 – Political Science
330 – Economics
340 – Law
350 – Public Administration & Military Science
360 – Social Problems & Social Services
370 – Education
380 – Commerce, Communications, & Transportation
390 – Customs, Etiquette, & Folklore
Social Sciences
500
300
400
410 – Linguistics
420 – English & Old English Languages
430 – German & Related Languages
440 – French & Related Languages
450 – Italian, Romanian, & Related Languages
460 – Spanish, Portuguese, Galician
470 – Latin & Italic Languages
480 – Classical & Modern Greek Languages
490 – Other Languages
Languages
600
400
500
510 – Mathematics
520 – Astronomy
530 – Physics
540 – Chemistry
550 – Earth Sciences & Geology
560 – Fossils & Prehistoric Life
570 – Life Sciences; Biology
580 – Plants (Botany)
590 – Animals (Zoology)
Science
700
500
600
610 – Medicine & Health
620 – Engineering
630 – Agriculture
640 – Home & Family Management
650 – Management & Public Relations
660 – Chemical Engineering
670 – Manufacturing
680 – Manufacture for Specific Uses
690 – Building & Construction
Technology
800
600
700
710 – Landscaping & Area Planning
720 – Architecture
730 – Sculpture, Ceramics, & Metalwork
740 – Graphic Arts & Decorative Arts
750 – Painting
760 – Printmaking & Prints
770 – Photography & Computer Art
780 – Music
790 – Recreational & Performing Arts
Arts & Recreation
900
700
800
810 – American Literature in English
820 – English & Old English Literatures
830 – German & Related Literatures
840 – French & Related Literatures
850 – Italian, Romanian, & Related Literatures
860 – Spanish, Portuguese, & Galician Literatures
870 – Latin & Italic Literatures
880 – Classical & Modern Greek Literatures
890 – Other Literatures
Literature
Home
8000
900
910 – Geography & Travel
920 – Biography, Genealogy, & Insignia
930 – History of the Ancient World (to ca. 499)
940 – History of Europe
950 – History of Asia
960 – History of Africa
970 – History of North America
980 – History of South America
990 – History of Other Areas
History & Geography
- 060 General organizations & museum science
- 061 Organizations in North America
- 062 Organizations in British Isles; in England
- 063 Organizations in central Europe; in Germany
- 064 Organizations in France & Monaco
- 065 Organizations in Italy & adjacent islands
- 066 In Iberian Peninsula & adjacent islands
- 067 Organizations in eastern Europe; in Russia
- 068 Organizations in other geographic areas
- 069 Museum science
- 080 General collections
- 081 Collections in American English
- 082 Collections in English
- 083 Collections in other Germanic languages
- 084 Collections in French, Occitan & Catalan
- 085 In Italian, Romanian & related languages
- 086 Collections in Spanish & Portuguese
- 087 Collections in Slavic languages
- 088 Collections in Scandinavian languages
- 089 Collections in other languages
- 060 General organizations & museum science
- 061 Organizations in North America
- 062 Organizations in British Isles; in England
- 063 Organizations in central Europe; in Germany
- 064 Organizations in France & Monaco
- 065 Organizations in Italy & adjacent islands
- 066 In Iberian Peninsula & adjacent islands
- 067 Organizations in eastern Europe; in Russia
- 068 Organizations in other geographic areas
- 069 Museum science
- 060 General organizations & museum science
- 061 Organizations in North America
- 062 Organizations in British Isles; in England
- 063 Organizations in central Europe; in Germany
- 064 Organizations in France & Monaco
- 065 Organizations in Italy & adjacent islands
- 066 In Iberian Peninsula & adjacent islands
- 067 Organizations in eastern Europe; in Russia
- 068 Organizations in other geographic areas
- 069 Museum science
- 060 General organizations & museum science
- 061 Organizations in North America
- 062 Organizations in British Isles; in England
- 063 Organizations in central Europe; in Germany
- 064 Organizations in France & Monaco
- 065 Organizations in Italy & adjacent islands
- 066 In Iberian Peninsula & adjacent islands
- 067 Organizations in eastern Europe; in Russia
- 068 Organizations in other geographic areas
- 069 Museum science
- 060 General organizations & museum science
- 061 Organizations in North America
- 062 Organizations in British Isles; in England
- 063 Organizations in central Europe; in Germany
- 064 Organizations in France & Monaco
- 065 Organizations in Italy & adjacent islands
- 066 In Iberian Peninsula & adjacent islands
- 067 Organizations in eastern Europe; in Russia
- 068 Organizations in other geographic areas
- 069 Museum science
Melvil Dewey
Melvil Dewey was a pioneering American librarian and educator, best known for creating the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) system, which is widely used in libraries around the world to organize books. Dewey was also a founder of the American Library Association in 1876 and played a significant role in the development of library science as a professional field. Beyond his work in libraries, Dewey was involved in broader educational reforms, including efforts to standardize spelling and promote the metric system.
However, Melvil Dewey's legacy is complicated by his personal behavior, including allegations of sexual harassment and discriminatory practices against Jews and others. These aspects of his life have led some to reevaluate his contributions and the way his name and legacy are honored in the library community. This critical perspective is essential for a balanced understanding of his impact on library science and education.
Melvil Dewey
- 060 General organizations & museum science
- 061 Organizations in North America
- 062 Organizations in British Isles; in England
- 063 Organizations in central Europe; in Germany
- 064 Organizations in France & Monaco
- 065 Organizations in Italy & adjacent islands
- 066 In Iberian Peninsula & adjacent islands
- 067 Organizations in eastern Europe; in Russia
- 068 Organizations in other geographic areas
- 069 Museum science
- 070 News media, journalism & publishing
- 071 Newspapers in North America
- 072 Newspapers in British Isles; in England
- 073 Newspapers in central Europe; in Germany
- 074 Newspapers in France & Monaco
- 075 Newspapers in Italy & adjacent islands
- 076 In Iberian Peninsula & adjacent islands
- 077 Newspapers in eastern Europe; in Russia
- 078 Newspapers in Scandinavia
- 079 Newspapers in other geographic areas
- 020 Library & information sciences
- 021 Library relationships
- 022 Administration of physical plant
- 023 Personnel management
- 024 [Unassigned]
- 025 Library operations
- 026 Libraries for specific subjects
- 027 General libraries
- 028 Reading & use of other information media
- 029 [Unassigned]
- 060 General organizations & museum science
- 061 Organizations in North America
- 062 Organizations in British Isles; in England
- 063 Organizations in central Europe; in Germany
- 064 Organizations in France & Monaco
- 065 Organizations in Italy & adjacent islands
- 066 In Iberian Peninsula & adjacent islands
- 067 Organizations in eastern Europe; in Russia
- 068 Organizations in other geographic areas
- 069 Museum science
- 060 General organizations & museum science
- 061 Organizations in North America
- 062 Organizations in British Isles; in England
- 063 Organizations in central Europe; in Germany
- 064 Organizations in France & Monaco
- 065 Organizations in Italy & adjacent islands
- 066 In Iberian Peninsula & adjacent islands
- 067 Organizations in eastern Europe; in Russia
- 068 Organizations in other geographic areas
- 069 Museum science
- 060 General organizations & museum science
- 061 Organizations in North America
- 062 Organizations in British Isles; in England
- 063 Organizations in central Europe; in Germany
- 064 Organizations in France & Monaco
- 065 Organizations in Italy & adjacent islands
- 066 In Iberian Peninsula & adjacent islands
- 067 Organizations in eastern Europe; in Russia
- 068 Organizations in other geographic areas
- 069 Museum science
- 010 Bibliography
- 011 Bibliographies
- 012 Bibliographies of individuals
- 013 [Unassigned]
- 014 Of anonymous & pseudonymous works
- 015 Bibliographies of works from specific places
- 016 Bibliographies of works on specific subjects
- 017 General subject catalogs
- 018 Catalogs arranged by author, date, etc.
- 019 Dictionary catalogs
- 060 General organizations & museum science
- 061 Organizations in North America
- 062 Organizations in British Isles; in England
- 063 Organizations in central Europe; in Germany
- 064 Organizations in France & Monaco
- 065 Organizations in Italy & adjacent islands
- 066 In Iberian Peninsula & adjacent islands
- 067 Organizations in eastern Europe; in Russia
- 068 Organizations in other geographic areas
- 069 Museum science
- 060 General organizations & museum science
- 061 Organizations in North America
- 062 Organizations in British Isles; in England
- 063 Organizations in central Europe; in Germany
- 064 Organizations in France & Monaco
- 065 Organizations in Italy & adjacent islands
- 066 In Iberian Peninsula & adjacent islands
- 067 Organizations in eastern Europe; in Russia
- 068 Organizations in other geographic areas
- 069 Museum science
- 060 General organizations & museum science
- 061 Organizations in North America
- 062 Organizations in British Isles; in England
- 063 Organizations in central Europe; in Germany
- 064 Organizations in France & Monaco
- 065 Organizations in Italy & adjacent islands
- 066 In Iberian Peninsula & adjacent islands
- 067 Organizations in eastern Europe; in Russia
- 068 Organizations in other geographic areas
- 069 Museum science
- 060 General organizations & museum science
- 061 Organizations in North America
- 062 Organizations in British Isles; in England
- 063 Organizations in central Europe; in Germany
- 064 Organizations in France & Monaco
- 065 Organizations in Italy & adjacent islands
- 066 In Iberian Peninsula & adjacent islands
- 067 Organizations in eastern Europe; in Russia
- 068 Organizations in other geographic areas
- 069 Museum science
- 060 General organizations & museum science
- 061 Organizations in North America
- 062 Organizations in British Isles; in England
- 063 Organizations in central Europe; in Germany
- 064 Organizations in France & Monaco
- 065 Organizations in Italy & adjacent islands
- 066 In Iberian Peninsula & adjacent islands
- 067 Organizations in eastern Europe; in Russia
- 068 Organizations in other geographic areas
- 069 Museum science
- 060 General organizations & museum science
- 061 Organizations in North America
- 062 Organizations in British Isles; in England
- 063 Organizations in central Europe; in Germany
- 064 Organizations in France & Monaco
- 065 Organizations in Italy & adjacent islands
- 066 In Iberian Peninsula & adjacent islands
- 067 Organizations in eastern Europe; in Russia
- 068 Organizations in other geographic areas
- 069 Museum science
- 060 General organizations & museum science
- 061 Organizations in North America
- 062 Organizations in British Isles; in England
- 063 Organizations in central Europe; in Germany
- 064 Organizations in France & Monaco
- 065 Organizations in Italy & adjacent islands
- 066 In Iberian Peninsula & adjacent islands
- 067 Organizations in eastern Europe; in Russia
- 068 Organizations in other geographic areas
- 069 Museum science
- 030 General encyclopedic works
- 031 Encyclopedias in American English
- 032 Encyclopedias in English
- 033 In other Germanic languages
- 034 Encyclopedias in French, Occitan & Catalan
- 035 In Italian, Romanian & related languages
- 036 Encyclopedias in Spanish & Portuguese
- 037 Encyclopedias in Slavic languages
- 038 Encyclopedias in Scandinavian languages
- 039 Encyclopedias in other languages
- 090 Manuscripts & rare books
- 091 Manuscripts
- 092 Block books
- 093 Incunabula
- 094 Printed books
- 095 Books notable for bindings
- 096 Books notable for illustrations
- 097 Books notable for ownership or origin
- 098 Prohibited works, forgeries & hoaxes
- 099 Books notable for format
- 060 General organizations & museum science
- 061 Organizations in North America
- 062 Organizations in British Isles; in England
- 063 Organizations in central Europe; in Germany
- 064 Organizations in France & Monaco
- 065 Organizations in Italy & adjacent islands
- 066 In Iberian Peninsula & adjacent islands
- 067 Organizations in eastern Europe; in Russia
- 068 Organizations in other geographic areas
- 069 Museum science
- 050 General serial publications
- 051 Serials in American English
- 052 Serials in English
- 053 Serials in other Germanic languages
- 054 Serials in French, Occitan & Catalan
- 055 In Italian, Romanian & related languages
- 056 Serials in Spanish & Portuguese
- 057 Serials in Slavic languages
- 058 Serials in Scandinavian languages
- 059 Serials in other languages
- 060 General organizations & museum science
- 061 Organizations in North America
- 062 Organizations in British Isles; in England
- 063 Organizations in central Europe; in Germany
- 064 Organizations in France & Monaco
- 065 Organizations in Italy & adjacent islands
- 066 In Iberian Peninsula & adjacent islands
- 067 Organizations in eastern Europe; in Russia
- 068 Organizations in other geographic areas
- 069 Museum science
DDC GUIDE
Katherine DeVere
Created on April 4, 2024
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Transcript
Dewey Decimal
Classification
400
000
300
200
100
Languages
Social Sciences
General Works, Computer Science, and Information
Religion
Philosophy & Psychology
900
500
800
700
600
Explain what this is here
History & Geography
Natural Sciences & Mathematics
Literature
The Arts & Recreation
Technology
Understanding the Dewey Decimal System: Your Guide to the Library Shelves
Game:
Video:
Test Your DDC knowledge
Dewey Decimal
Play
How to Use the DDC:
- Identify your subject: Decide what topic you’re interested in.
- Find the category number: Locate the main category number that corresponds to your subject.
- Get specific: Look for more specific numbers following the decimal to zero in on your topic.
Example: Want a book on reptiles? Start at 500 (Science), move to 590 (Animals), and zoom into 597 (Reptiles). Tip: Look for the Dewey Decimal number on the book’s spine label to find its exact location on the shelves.DCC
THe Dewey Decimal system
The Dewey Decimal System is like a map for navigating the library. It helps you find books and materials quickly by sorting them into specific categories.
Who Was Dewey
100
Home
010 – Bibliographies 020 – Library & Information Sciences 030 – Encyclopedias & Books of Facts 040 – [Unassigned, formerly Biographies] 050 – Magazines, Journals & Serials 060 – Associations, Organizations & Museums 070 – News Media, Journalism & Publishing 080 – Quotations 090 – Manuscripts & Rare Books
000
General Works, Computer Science, & Information
200
0001
100
110 – Metaphysics 120 – Epistemology 130 – Parapsychology & Occultism 140 – Philosophical Schools of Thought 150 – Psychology 160 – Logic 170 – Ethics 180 – Ancient, Medieval, & Eastern Philosophy 190 – Modern Western Philosophy
Philosophy & Psychology
300
100
200
200 - Religion 210 - Philosophy & Theory of Religion 220 - The Bible 230 - Christianity & Christian Theology 240 - Christian Practice & Observance 250 - Christian Pastoral Practice & Religious Orders 260 - Christian Organization, Social Work & Worship 270 - History of Christianity 280 - Christian Denominations 290 - Other Religions
Religion
400
200
300
310 – Statistics 320 – Political Science 330 – Economics 340 – Law 350 – Public Administration & Military Science 360 – Social Problems & Social Services 370 – Education 380 – Commerce, Communications, & Transportation 390 – Customs, Etiquette, & Folklore
Social Sciences
500
300
400
410 – Linguistics 420 – English & Old English Languages 430 – German & Related Languages 440 – French & Related Languages 450 – Italian, Romanian, & Related Languages 460 – Spanish, Portuguese, Galician 470 – Latin & Italic Languages 480 – Classical & Modern Greek Languages 490 – Other Languages
Languages
600
400
500
510 – Mathematics 520 – Astronomy 530 – Physics 540 – Chemistry 550 – Earth Sciences & Geology 560 – Fossils & Prehistoric Life 570 – Life Sciences; Biology 580 – Plants (Botany) 590 – Animals (Zoology)
Science
700
500
600
610 – Medicine & Health 620 – Engineering 630 – Agriculture 640 – Home & Family Management 650 – Management & Public Relations 660 – Chemical Engineering 670 – Manufacturing 680 – Manufacture for Specific Uses 690 – Building & Construction
Technology
800
600
700
710 – Landscaping & Area Planning 720 – Architecture 730 – Sculpture, Ceramics, & Metalwork 740 – Graphic Arts & Decorative Arts 750 – Painting 760 – Printmaking & Prints 770 – Photography & Computer Art 780 – Music 790 – Recreational & Performing Arts
Arts & Recreation
900
700
800
810 – American Literature in English 820 – English & Old English Literatures 830 – German & Related Literatures 840 – French & Related Literatures 850 – Italian, Romanian, & Related Literatures 860 – Spanish, Portuguese, & Galician Literatures 870 – Latin & Italic Literatures 880 – Classical & Modern Greek Literatures 890 – Other Literatures
Literature
Home
8000
900
910 – Geography & Travel 920 – Biography, Genealogy, & Insignia 930 – History of the Ancient World (to ca. 499) 940 – History of Europe 950 – History of Asia 960 – History of Africa 970 – History of North America 980 – History of South America 990 – History of Other Areas
History & Geography
Melvil Dewey
Melvil Dewey was a pioneering American librarian and educator, best known for creating the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) system, which is widely used in libraries around the world to organize books. Dewey was also a founder of the American Library Association in 1876 and played a significant role in the development of library science as a professional field. Beyond his work in libraries, Dewey was involved in broader educational reforms, including efforts to standardize spelling and promote the metric system. However, Melvil Dewey's legacy is complicated by his personal behavior, including allegations of sexual harassment and discriminatory practices against Jews and others. These aspects of his life have led some to reevaluate his contributions and the way his name and legacy are honored in the library community. This critical perspective is essential for a balanced understanding of his impact on library science and education.
Melvil Dewey