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)

Alternatives

MARC AACR2 LC Subject Headigns Sears Subject Headings

Current Issues

Perry Branch Rebellion

Seattle Central Library

The spectacle that became the Seattle Central Library was the results of both a Seattle Public vote for "Libraries for All" and a $20 million donation by Bill Gates. Rem Koolhaas and Joshua Prince-Ramus of the Dutch firm Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) were the principal architects on the project. The building has been described as a celebration of books with the form dictated by the medium. The Book Spiral, which houses the nonfiction collection, can be found on floors 6 to 9. The floors aren't separated by stairs, but rather are built on a slight incline, allowing the collection to be enjoyed without interruption. The Spiral is organized by the Dewey Decimal System, starting with 000 and working upwards with each foot. In making the decision to design a building around the Dewey Decimal System, the Seattle Central Library has made the classification more durable, pouring it into cement.

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.

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.