What is the Dewey Decimal System?
The Dewey Decimal Classification system is a classifying system used by libraries to organize their collections. It was first introduced to the public in 1876 by Melvil Dewey, a founding member of the American Library Association. It is the most widely used classification system in the world. Libraries in over 140 countries use the system to organize and provide access to their collections. At NICC, you'll find the library is organized using Dewey Decimal Classification.
How does the Dewey Decimal system work?
The Dewey Decimal system is subject based. That's one of the great things about the system; you don't need the names of authors or book titles if you are looking for books on a certain topic. You just need the call number, which is the group of numbers you'll find on the spine of a book. Specific call numbers for a particular item will vary from library to library depending on how the library chooses to classify their collection, but generally Dewey Decimal libraries will follow the same system of assigning a call number to an item (or they'll just use the Dewey Decimal number assigned to the item by the Library of Congress).
Each item is assigned a three digit number, which corresponds to a broad subject group that the item would fall under. There are ten broad subject headings:
000s: Computer science, information, & general works
100s: Philosophy & psychology
200s: Religion
300s: Social sciences
400s: Language
500s: Science
600s: Technology
700s: Arts & recreation
800s: Literature
900s: History & geography
As you can imagine, these topics are incredibly broad. Take the 600s, for example--the subject is "Technology." This covers a whole slew of topics, everything from medicine to animal husbandry to metallurgy. If you want to research applied physics, you don't want to waste time looking through books on child rearing. So, how do you narrow down your search?
The Dewey Decimal system further breaks these subjects into subclasses by adding two digits. For example:
800: Literature
820: English and Old English literatures
823: English fiction
As the number becomes more specific, so does the subject matter. So if we are looking to browse English fiction, we found the right spot. Every book/item with the call number 823 will correspond to the subject of English fiction. Around 823 we'd find related subjects. 822 would be English drama and 824 indicates English essays.
But what if we are looking for something even more specific? Or even a particular title? After all, the English have written a lot of fiction and finding a certain book in a sea of many would be difficult, or at least time consuming. If the library has a need for even more specificity (which usually they do) the three digit number will be followed by a decimal point and even more numbers. This is where things can get complicated and even a little messy, because there is no rule for how many numbers are needed after the decimal point. The more numbers, the more specific the subject. No need to panic though. Libraries typically only add as many numbers as they need. The smaller the collection on a certain subject, the less specific they need to get with their organization. Here at NICC you'll typically find anywhere from one to five numbers after a decimal point. So let's pretend we want English fiction from the first half the 20th century and take a look at our example again:
823: English fiction
823.9: Modern Period
823.91: 1901-1999 (20th century)
823.912: 1901-1945
As you can see and as mentioned before, the more specific the number gets, the more specific a topic is. So now we have located all the English fiction from 1901-1945. If we decided we actually wanted, let's say, English fiction from 1945-1999, we wouldn't have to go far; the call number for the subject is 823.914. Related subjects will usually be close by.
But maybe we really wanted to read The Silmarillion by J R R Tolkien. How would we go about finding that? We are already so specific with our call number, and at this point even the Library of Congress says, that's enough with the numbers for this book. Now the library will transition to using what's known as a cutter. Here at NICC we use three letters for our cutters. First, if the work has an author, we will use the first three letters of the author's last name. If the work is an edited piece or does not have an author, we use the first three letters of the title. In the case of The Silmarillion our cutter is "Tol" for Tolkien. If there was no author or the book had an editor instead of an author, we would would use "Sil" for Silmarillion (we ignore non-significant words, like 'a,' 'an,' or 'the').
So for The Silmarillion by J R R Tolkien, we would head to the 800s section and look for the complete call number with the cutter of 823.912 Tol. And there we would find that very specific book we were looking so hard for.
Use the catalog and ask a librarian
Now you understand how the Dewey Decimal Classification system works. But this explanation isn't exactly completely helpful. You know now that similar subjects are going to be found around the same area, but that doesn't help you figure out the call number in the first place. After all, how are you to know that call number 487.1 corresponds to Mycenaean language? Well, you won't know (or at least we don't expect you to). This is where the library catalog and your local friendly librarian come in handy. Head to the online library catalog, search for the subject you are interested in, and browse until you find a book that pertains to your subject. Once you find something that looks promising, take a look at the call number and head to that section in the library to find that source and other items on the same subject.
Don't be afraid to ask the librarians either. They are there to help and we promise they don't bite. They are pretty good at finding materials that you might not have thought of (487.1 is Mycenaean language but you might find some relevant information in Mycenaean history under 939.18). Feel free to stop by the circulation desk, give us a call, or shoot us a message online.
To the left you'll find some basic Dewey Decimal summaries to help you begin your search or just to browse. Also included are some overarching topics and the different call numbers under which you can find them.
The ancient world. It spanned from 3000 B.C.E to 476 C.E. What a broad topic under which a lot of information could be found. Here are some places for you to start looking:
100s (Philosophy & psychology):
170.93 Ethics in the Ancient World
180 Ancient, medieval, eastern philosophy
200s (Religion):
292 Classical religion
295 Zoroastrianism
296 Judaism
299.2 Religions of Sumer, Assyria, and Mesopotamia
299.31 Ancient Egyptian religion
299.51 Religions of Chinese origin
300s (Social sciences):
340.093 Law in the Ancient World
370.93 Ancient History of Education
400s (Language):
470 Latin and related Italic languages
480 Classical Greek; Hellenic languages
491.2 Sanskrit
493.1 Ancient Egyptian
500s (Science):
509.3 Science in the Ancient World
520.93 Astronomy in the Ancient World
600s (Technology):
610.93 Medicine in the Ancient World
630.93 Ancient agriculture
700s (Arts & recreation):
709.3 Ancient art
722 Ancient architecture
732 Ancient sculpture
733 Greek and Roman sculpture
800s (Literature):
870 Latin literature
880 Greek literature
892.1 Akkadia, Babylon, Mesopotamia, and Summer - Literature
900s (History and geography):
913 Geography of & travel in the Ancient World
930 History of the Ancient World
Some topics are surrounded by controversy and disagreements. Whether you need to write a persuasive paper or just want to familiarize yourself with the arguments, there are plenty of places to look. You'll find that the 300s (social sciences) are teeming with controversial topics. We recommend browsing the entire section if you are unsure about what topic you want to research; you never know what you'll stumble across. Heads up--some topics are found in multiple areas.
000s (Computer science, information, & general works):
006.3 Artificial intelligence
100s (Philosophy & psychology):
140 Philosophical systems
172 Political ethics
173 Family ethics
176 Sexual ethics
179.3 Treatment of animals
179.72 Assisted suicide
179.76 Abortion
200s (Religion)
211 Deism and atheism
215 Religion and science
300s (Social sciences):
306.74 Sex work
306.76 Sexual orientation; gender identity
306.84 Marriage equality and nontraditional marriage
322.1 Relations between state and church
323.448 Privacy rights
324.6 Electoral college
325 Migration and colonization
327.1 International foreign policies
327.73 USA's role in the world
331.2 Minimum wage
333 Economics of land & energy
338.18 Agriculture subsidiaries
358.3/358.4 Ethics in war
362.1 Social issues regarding people with physical illnesses
362.2 Social issues regarding people with mental illnesses
362.4 Social issues regarding people with disabilities
362.5 Poverty
363.15 Healthcare
363.2 Policing
363.31 Censorship
363.33 Guns and gun control
363.45 Illegal drugs
363.46 Abortion
363.7 Environmental issues
363.96 Birth control and contraception
364.6 Death penalty and punishment of crime
400s (Language)
500s (Science):
576.8 Evolution
600s (Technology):
614.47 Vaccines
615.7827 Medical marijuana (see also 362.295)
700s (Arts & recreation):
800s (Literature):
900s (History & geography)
956.94 Israel & Palestine
Covering the mind and body, the health field includes a vast array of topics. Here are some places to begin your search:
000s (Computer science, information, & general works):
100s (Philosophy & psychology):
131 Parapsychological and occult - mental health and healing the mind/body
150 Psychology
174.2 Ethics in medicine
200s (Religion)
204.3 Worship, meditation, yoga
201.76 Social problems and services (includes intersection of religion and health)
300s (Social sciences):
362.1 Social issues regarding people with physical illnesses
362.2 Social issues regarding people with mental illnesses
362.4 Social issues regarding people with disabilities
363.15 Healthcare
363.45 Illegal drugs
363.46 Abortion
400s (Language)
500s (Science):
570 Life sciences
571 Physiology
572 Biochemistry
573 Physiological systems in animals
574 Biology
575 Evolution and Genetics
576 Microbiology
599.9 Humans (zoology)
600s (Technology):
610 Medicine and Health
611 Anatomy
612 Human physiology
613 Personal health and safety
614 Public health
615 Pharmacology and therapeutics
616 Disease
617 Surgery, regional medicine, ophthalmology, otology, audiology
618 Gynecology and pediatrics
619 Comparative medicine
641.1 Nutrition
646.7 Management of personal and family life
649.3 Breastfeeding
649.4 Sleep and health (Alcohol, drugs, tobacco)
700s (Arts & recreation):
796 Athletic and outdoor sports and games
800s (Literature):
900s (History & geography)
Interested in the field of history? History is found mainly in the 900s section. However, various history subjects can be found throughout the Dewey Decimal system, filed under the main topic. Here is just a selection of them:
000s (Computer science, information, & general works):
002 History of the book
100s (Philosophy & psychology):
109 History of philosophy
150.9 History of psychology
180 Ancient, medieval, and eastern philosophy
200s (Religion)
209 History of religion
270 History of Christianity
292 Classical religion
300s (Social sciences):
330.9 Economic history
340.09 History of law
370.9 History of education
400s (Language)
417 Dialectology and historical linguistics
420.9 History of the English language
500s (Science):
508 Natural history
509 History of natural sciences and mathematics
569.9 Ancient humans
578 Natural history of organisms
600s (Technology):
609 History of technology
610.9 History of medicine
630.9 History of agriculture
700s (Arts & recreation):
709 Art history
722 Ancient and oriental architecture
723 Medieval and gothic architecture
759 History of painting and paintings
769 History of printing
770.9 History of photography
780.9 History of music
796.09 History of sports
800s (Literature):
809 History of literature
Over 8% of the world's population resides in Latin America. Latin America encompasses all of South America, Mexico, Central America and a handful of Caribbean islands. Here we have some of the different areas of the collection that relate to Latin America.
000s (Computer science, information, & general works):
100s (Philosophy & psychology):
199.72 Philosophy originating from Mexico, Central America & Caribbean
199.8 Philosophy originating from South America
200s (Religion)
277.2 History of Christianity in Mexico, Central America & Caribbean
278 History of Christianity in South America
299.784 Mesoamerican religion
299.792 Religions of Mexican & Central American origins
299.8 Religions of South American origin
300s (Social sciences):
320.972 Political situations and conditions in Mexico, Central America & Caribbean
320.98 Political situations and conditions in South America
325.7 Migration in North America
330.972 Economics in Mexico, Central America & Caribbean
330.98 Economics in South America
340.0972 Law in Central America
370.972 Education in Mexico, Central America & Caribbean
370.98 Education in South America
400s (Language)
460 Spanish
469 Portuguese
498 Languages indigenous to South America
500s (Science):
557.2 Earth sciences and geology - Mexico, Central America & Caribbean
558 Earth sciences and geology - South America
600s (Technology):
641.5972 Cooking - Mexico, Central America & Caribbean
641.598 Cooking - Latin and South America
700s (Arts & recreation):
720.972 Mexican, Central American & Caribbean architecture
720.98 South American architecture
759.792 Painting - Mexico, Central America & Caribbean
759.98 Painting - South America
781.63 Non-western popular music
789.26 Latin American folk music
796.334 Football (soccer)
800s (Literature):
860 Spanish literature (general)
869 Portuguese literature (general)
869.9 Brazilian Portuguese literature
897.0 Mesoamerican literature
897.4 Penutian, Mayan, Ut-Aztecan, Tanoan languages - literature
898 Native South American languages - literature
900s (History and geography):
972 Mexico, Central America, West Indies, Bermuda history & geography
972.1 Northern states of Mexico
972.12 Tamaulipas
972.13 Nuevo León
972.14 Coahuila
972.15 Durango
972.16 Chihuahua
972.17 Sonora
972.2 Baja California
972.3 Central Pacific states of Mexico
972.32 Sinaloa
972.34 Nayarit
972.35 Jalisco
972.37 Michoacán
972.4 Interior states of Mexico
972.41 Guanajuato
972.42 Aguascalientes
972.43 Zacatecas
972.44 San Luis Potosí
972.45 Querétaro
972.46 Hidalgo
972.47 Tlaxcala
972.48 Puebla
972.5 Mexico; Federal District
972.53 Mexico City
972.6 Southern Gulf states of Mexico
972.62 Veracruz
972.63 Tabasco
972.64 Campeche
972.65 Yucatán
972.67 Quintana Roo
972.7 Southern Pacific states of Mexico
972.73 Guerrero
972.74 Oaxaca
972.75 Chiapas
972.8 Central America
972.81 Guatemala
972.82 Belize
972.83 Honduras
972.84 El Savlador
972.85 Nicaragua
972.86 Costa Rica
972.87 Panama
972.9 West Indies and Bermuda; Caribbean
972.91 Cuba
972.93 Dominican Republic
972.95 Puerto Rico
980 South American history & geography
981 Brazil
982 Argentina
983 Chile
984 Bolivia
985 Peru
986 Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Panama Canal
986.1 Colombia
986.2 Panama
986.3 Panama Canal
986.6 Ecuador
987 Venezuela
988 French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname
988.1 Guyana
988.2 French Guiana
988.3 Suriname
989 Paraguay, Uruguay
989.2 Paraguay
989.5 Uruguay
Some topics can be tough to talk about and have a big impact on how we think and live our lives. Here we have included topics that can be very personal, as well as more broad topics that focus on the mind and mental well-being. Remember, your privacy is very important to libraries. We do not keep records of any past materials that you have checked out. Once you return an item, all records connecting you to that item are automatically deleted. We do not give out any information regarding library patrons (think HIPAA but for libraries).
000s (Computer science, information, & general works):
100s (Philosophy & psychology):
150 Psychology
152.4 Emotions & psychology
154.4 Subconsciousness (dreams, altered states, etc)
155.93 Traumatic experiences and bereavement (loss of a child, parent)
158.2 Interpersonal relationships
200s (Religion)
211 Deism and atheism
248.86 Christian living for those in distress
300s (Social sciences):
303.69 Bullying
306.76 Sexual orientation; gender identity
306.87 Pregnancy (see also 618.2)
306.89 Divorce (see also 346.7)
332 Personal finance
346.7305 Estate planning and living will
346.7307 Bankruptcy
362.1 Hospice care
362.28 Suicide
362.76 Child abuse
362.82 Abuse in relationships
363.42 Gambling
363.46 Abortion
364.158 Rape/Stalking
400s (Language)
500s (Science):
600s (Technology):
613.8 Substance abuse
616.831 Alzheimer's
616.8521 PTSD
616.8522 Anxiety and panic disorders
616.8526 Eating disorders
616.8527 Depression
616.8581 Personality disorders
616.8582 Antisocial disorders
616.861 Alcoholism
616.891 Therapy
616.89 Mental disorders
616.895 Bipolar disorder
616.897 Paranoia
616.898 Schizophrenia
616.95 STDs
616.9792 HIV/AIDS
618.39 Infertility (see also 616.692)
618.392 Miscarriage
700s (Arts & recreation):
800s (Literature):
900s (History and geography):
Where to find different topics pertaining to women:
000s (Computer science, information, & general works):
100s (Philosophy & psychology):
150.82 Feminist psychology
200s (Religion)
271.9 Sisterhoods in Christianity
300s (Social sciences):
305.4 Women
305.42 Role in society, status
305.43 Women and work
305.486 Women and religion
305.488 Women and ethnic/national groups
306.76 Sexual orientation, gender identity
323.34 Women's rights and feminism
324.623 Women's suffrage
362.82 Problems of families (including violence against women)
376 Education of women
400s (Language)
500s (Science):
500.82 Women in science
600s (Technology):
612.62 Female functions of generation; ovulation
613.04 Personal health based on gender and/or sex
613.94 Birth control and reproductive technology
618 Gynecology and Pediatrics
649.3 Breastfeeding
700s (Arts & recreation):
782.6 Women's voices (Vocal music)
796.082 Women in sports
800s (Literature):
900s (History and geography):
920.72 Biographies of women