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.

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

Melville Dewey

December 10, 1851 – December 26, 1931

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Alternatives

MARC AACR2 LC Subject Headigns Sears Subject Headings

Contemporary Substitutes

Seattle Public Library

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.