Dewey Decimal System
The Dewey Decimal System is a hierarchical system of classification that utilizes decimals to codify divisions. Despite its decreasing popularity, Dewey continues to be the most dominant classification system in the world and is used in over 138 countries and 200,000 libraries.
Contents
Utility
Main Classes
Each of the 10 below main categories has 10 secondary categories within which there are another 10 subcategories.
▪ 000 – Computer science, information & general works
▪ 100 – Philosophy and psychology
▪ 200 – Religion
▪ 300 – Social sciences
▪ 400 – Language
▪ 500 – Science (including mathematics)
▪ 600 – Technology/Applied Science
▪ 700 – Arts and recreation
▪ 800 – Literature
▪ 900 – History, geography, and biography
Revisions
Melville Dewey
December 10, 1851 – December 26, 1931
Alternatives
MARC AACR2 LC Subject Headigns Sears Subject Headings
Current Issues
Perry Branch Rebellion
Seattle Public Library
The Bookstore Model
Browsing versus finding
Metadata
Databases now must catalogue and increasing amount of nontextual information such as images, sounds, videos, and scanned documents. These types of information require multidiscipilary forms of classification and search. These kinds of networks represent the future of broad classification systems.
Music Classification
Sources
Clyde, Anne "Metadata. " Teacher Librarian 30.2 (2002): 45-47. Research Library, ProQuest. Web. 28 Nov. 2010.
Drabinski, E.. "Gendered S(h)elves: Body and Identity in the Library. " Women & Environments International Magazine 1 Oct. 2009: Research Library, ProQuest. Web. 28 Nov. 2010.
El-Sherbini, Magda "Metadata and the future of cataloging. " Library Computing 1 Jan. 2000: ABI/INFORM Global, ProQuest. Web. 28 Nov. 2010.
Fialkoff, Francine "It's Not About Dewey. " Library Journal 1 Nov. 2009: ABI/INFORM Global, ProQuest. Web. 28 Nov. 2010.
Fister, Barbara "The Dewey Dilemma. " Library Journal 1 Oct. 2009: ABI/INFORM Global, ProQuest. Web. 28 Nov. 2010.
Goldberg, Beverly "Classification clash. " American Libraries 1 May 2001: Research Library, ProQuest. Web. 28 Nov. 2010.
Ketcham, Susan. "Learn Library of Congress Classification / Learn Dewey Decimal Classification (Edition 21). Library Journal 1 Feb. 2000: ABI/INFORM Global, ProQuest. Web. 28 Nov. 2010.
Kidwell, Claire "Music Classification Systems. Library Review 52.5/6 (2003): 279-280. Research Library, ProQuest. Web. 28 Nov. 2010.
Prescott, Sarah. "If you knew Dewey... " School Library Journal 1 Aug. 2001: ABI/INFORM Global, ProQuest. Web. 28 Nov. 2010.
Stevens, Norman D. "The catalogs of the future: A speculative essay. " Information Technology and Libraries 17.4 (1998): 183-187. ABI/INFORM Global, ProQuest. Web. 28 Nov. 2010.
Tapper, Janet "Dewey Does a Number on Wicca. " Library Journal : Spiritual living 1 May 2006: ABI/INFORM Global, ProQuest. Web. 28 Nov. 2010.