Understanding Dewey

1
Understanding Dewey!

• Everything you wanted to know about finding
  materials in the library media center!

2
Libraries Begin

• It was during the 1800s that libraries were
  beginning to spring up around the country. The
  printing press had made more and more books
  available to the general public, and more and
  more people were learning to read.

3
A Problem Evolves

• Melvil Dewey was a very bright but frustrated
  librarian. As more and more books were added to
  his library collection, he found it difficult to
  locate materials.
• Being a resourceful young man, he decided to
  create a standardized numbering system for
  classifying nonfiction books in a library.
  

4
How Should Dewey Start?

• Dewey wanted a system that put subjects into ten
  basic areas. (Thats because our numbering
  system is based on ten.) He wanted each book
  to have a specific number on the book spine so
  that the book would have a specific location on a
  library shelf.
• If he used decimals with his base ten numbering
  system, he figured he could create detailed
  numbers for detailed subjects.

5
Dewey Classification
6
And.

• 000s
• These are the basic ten sections of every library
  that uses the Dewey Decimal System. And, most
  libraries for schools and the public use this
  system.

7
Subjects ?

• Dewey chose his ten basic subject areas by
  pretending to be a caveman. What kind of
  questions would the first man ask?
  
• Dewey also wanted to be able to include subjects
  that were yet to be created due to future
  technology. (Smart guy, huh?)

8
What are the subjects associated with these ten
areas?

• Take a look..

9
100s

• Who Am I?
• This section provides information about

10
Philosophy Psychology

• Self-esteem
• Ethics
• Logic
• Astrology

11
200s

• Where did I come from?
• This sections provides information about

12
Religion Mythology

• Bible
• Religious books of all sects
• Religious history
• Mythology

13
300s

• What about others?
• This sections provides information about

14
Social Sciences

• Government laws
• Economics
• Social Groups Problems
• Education
• Careers
• Folklore
• Customs
• Holidays

15
400s

• How do I communicate with others?
• This sections provides information about

16
Language

• Linguistics
• Dictionaries
• All Languages
• German
• French
• Italian
• Spanish,
• Latin,
• Greek
• Sign

17
500s

• What about the
• world around me?
• This sections provides information about

18
Natural Science Mathematics

• Mathematics
• Forces of Nature
• Astronomy
• Physics
• Chemistry

• Earth Sciences
• Weather
• Paleontology
• Life Sciences
• Plants
• Animals

19
600s

• How can I use natural
• things in the world to
• improve my life?
• This sections provides information about

20
Technology

• Farming
• Medicine
• Engineering
• Manufacturing
• Business

• Cooking
• Sewing
• Pets
• Building

21
700s

• How can I enjoy
• my leisure time?
• This sections provides information about

22
Fine Arts Recreation

• Art
• Music
• Dance
• Films
• Hobbies
• Sports

23
800s

• What are mans greatest thoughts deeds?
• This sections provides
• information about

24
Literature

• Poetry
• Plays
• Jokes Riddles

25
900s

• What has man recorded about his history?
• This section
• provides information about

26
Geography History

• Geography travel
• Individual biographies
• Group biographies
• History of Ancient World
• Histories by area

27
000s

• Where do items that dont seem to fit in any of
  the other nine sections get placed?
  
• This is where you would find

28
Generalities

• General Encyclopedias
• Library Science
• Miscellaneous (for example Bigfoot, UFOs) They
  are not really fiction or nonfiction.
  

29
What about Subdivisions?

• Each of these ten general subject areas can be
  subdivided indefinitely. The more specific the
  number, the more specific the subject.
  
• For example

30
Subdivision Example

• 900s History
• 970s History of North America
• 979s Rocky Mountain Area
• 979.2 State of Utah
• Got the picture? From large to small, or from
  general to specific. We could keep going.
  

31
How Are Dewey Numbers Assigned?

• Every library uses the Dewey Decimal
  Classification Book.
  
• This book has all of the number divisions and
  subdivision listed.
  
• The librarian uses this book to select the
  correct Dewey Decimal Number for each title in
  the library.

32
Find that Book!

• Look up a title in the library computer.
• Write down the Dewey Decimal Number.
• Go to the nonfiction section of the library.
• Follow along the shelves numerically until you
  locate the book.
  
• All books on the same subject will be placed
  together on the shelf.
  
• Thank You, Melvil Dewey!