Calderdale College Learning Centre Guide to the Dewey Decimal Classification system
What is the Dewey Decimal Classification system? The Dewey Decimal Classification system (DDC) is the system the Learning Centres use to organise its books on the library shelves. This system is also in place at the local public library, and in the libraries of most colleges and universities. How does the Dewey Decimal Classification system work? Each book is given a Dewey number (commonly called a class number). The class number is displayed on the spine of the book. The books are organised on the shelves in sequence according to this number. Each class number represents a particular subject. The class number therefore indicates the subject covered by the book. This means that all books with the same class number will cover the same, or similar subjects. Tell me more The Dewey Decimal Classification system contains 10 main divisions of knowledge. These groups are in turn subdivided again and again to provide more specific subject groups Listed over the next few pages are the 10 major divisions of knowledge used by the system, and their main subdivisions.
000 General works 000 Computer science, knowledge and systems 010 Bibliographies 020 Library and Information sciences 030 Encyclopaedias and books of facts 050 Magazines, journals and serials 060 Associations, organisations and museums 070 News media, journalism, publishing 080 Quotations 090 Manuscripts and rare books 100 Philosophy & Psychology 100 Philosophy 110 Metaphysics 120 Epistemology 130 Parapsychology and occultism 140 Philosophical schools of thought 150 Psychology 160 Philosophical logic 170 Ethics 180 Ancient, medieval and eastern philosophy 190 Modern western philosophy 200 Religion 200 Religion 210 Philosophy and theory of religion 220 The Bible 230 Christianity 240 Christian practice and observance 250 Christian pastoral practice and religious orders 260 Christian organisation, social work and worship 270 History of Christianity 280 Christian denominations 290 Other religions
300 Social sciences 300 Social sciences, sociology and anthropology 310 Statistics 320 Political science 330 Economics 340 Law 350 Public administration and military science 360 Social problems and social services 370 Education 380 Commerce, communications and transportation 390 Customs, etiquette and folklore 400 Language 400 Language 410 Linguistics 420 English and Old English languages 430 German and related languages 440 French and related languages 450 Italian, Romanian and related languages 460 Spanish, Portuguese, Galacian 470 Latin and Italic Languages 480 Classical and modern Greek languages 490 Other languages 500 Science 500 Science 510 Mathematics 520 Astronomy 530 Physics 540 Chemistry 550 Earth sciences and geology 560 Fossils and prehistoric life 570 Biology 580 Plants (Botany) 590 Animals (Zoology)
600 Technology 600 Technology 610 Medicine and health 620 Engineering 630 Agriculture 640 Home and family management 650 Management and public relations 660 Chemical engineering 670 Manufacturing 680 Manufacture for specific uses 690 Construction of buildings 700 Arts & Recreation 700 Arts 710 Area planning and landscape architecture 720 Architecture 730 Sculpture, ceramics and metalwork 740 Graphic arts and decorative arts 750 Painting 760 Printmaking and prints 770 Photography, computer art, film, video 780 Music 790 Sports, games and entertainment 800 Literature 800 Literature, rhetoric and criticism 810 American literature in English 820 English and Old English literatures 830 German and related literatures 840 French and related literatures 850 Italian, Romanian and related literatures 860 Spanish, Portuguese, Galician literatures 870 Latin and Italic literatures 880 Classical and modern Greek Literatures 890 Other literatures
900 History and geography 900 History 910 Geography and travel 920 Biography and genealogy 930 History of the ancient world 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 How do subdivisions work? As mentioned earlier, these broad division of knowledge are subdivided again and again into more specific areas. The table below illustrates how this is done. You can see how the broad area of Arts and recreation is subdivided into more and more specific subjects. 700 Arts and recreation 790 Recreational and performing arts 796 Athletic & outdoor sports & games 796. 3 796. 33 796. 334 Ball Games Games involving an inflated ball driven by foot Football
Need any help? If you have any questions about how to find books and other resources using the Dewey Decimal Classification system, please ask any member of staff on duty in the Learning Centres.
Calderdale College Learning Centre