Locating Library Materials - Understanding the Dewey System

 

The Saint Albert Hall Library allows you to find books, periodicals, and other library materials very easily by using an particular numerical and alphabetical arrangement for locating materials, the Dewey Decimal Classification System.

Created by Melvil Dewey, the Father of Library Science, this arrangement relies on assigning a distinct set of numbers and letters to each item in the library's collection. Dewey numbers are located in a multi-volume work called the Dewey Decimal Classification and Relative Index; because of the Dewey system, locating the materials in the library is very easy, IF you understand the Dewey System.

The Dewey Decimal System continues to be very popular way of arranging library materials; 95% of all public libraries and about 25% of all academic libraries use Dewey. Dewey is arranges into ten general subject areas or Classes, each of which is divided further into ten other subject areas. The main Dewey Classes are given below:

Click on the number ranges in RED for a description of the materials found in that Dewey class. Click on the radio box in the upper right hand corner of each window to close that window.

Every item of circulating material in the Saint Albert Hall Library (with the exception of audiovisual materials) is assigned a Dewey Number, which is often referred to as a Call Number.

The call number is both a means of arranging library materials on shelves and a method of informing the user about the subject of a book or periodical. Materials are always arranged on library shelves in ascending order (from lowest number to highest number), with the call number in a conspicuous place, making it easy for a patron to read. On a book, for example, the call number is always placed on the bottom of the book spine. There are usually four (4) separate parts of every call number, although there is often a location letter to indicate the physical area of the library in which a book or other material resides. The only location letter used by the Saint Albert Hall Library is the letter R, which indicates that a particular book is located in the Reference Collection on the first floor of the library. Let's look at how a call number is assigned to a book using the Dewey Decimal System. The book below...

would be assigned the call number in the blue box...Why? Click on the number segments in the box to find out...

Click on the numbered parts of the example below for a description of that part of the Dewey number. Click on the radio box in the upper right hand corner of each window to close that window.

When you go to look for a book on the shelves, it's important to remember that Dewey is a decimal system; books are arranged in ASCENDING order, with the smaller call number coming before the larger call number. The sequence of the Call Number on the shelf is exactly as we saw in the number assigned to the book we just looked at:

  1. Main Call Number;
  2. Subdivision Number;
  3. Cutter Number;
  4. Workmark
Look at these Call Numbers:

Which would come first on the shelves? They all have the same Main Call Number (781), so that wouldn't help. Let's try to order them by Subdivision Number. Contrary to what you might think, the smallest subdivision among these numbers isn't in Call Number 3. (.009), but is in Call Number 4., which is blank. In the Dewey System, Main Call Numbers without subdivisions always are shelved BEFORE Call Numbers with Subdivisions. These five Call Numbers would be arranged like this...

with the smallest Call Number (781) coming first and the largest Call Number (781.92) coming last. Try this set of Call Numbers...

Notice that these Call Numbers all have the same Main Call Number and Subdivision Number (781.092); in this case, we'll have to arrange them on the shelves by Cutter Number. However, two of these Call Numbers have identical Main Call Numbers, Subdivision Numbers and Cutter Numbers (781.092 T25). In the case of these two call numbers, arrangement is made by using the Workmark to distinguish between them (T25b comes before T25c). Here is the proper shelf order for these Call Numbers...

Remember the principal rule of the Dewey Decimal Classification System when you're looking for books on the shelves and you'll never have any trouble finding what you need...

  • Call Numbers are arranged in ASCENDING order according to (1) Main Call Number, (2) Subdivision Number, (3) Cutter Number and (4) Workmark.

     

    The final section of this module consists of a series of questions reviewing important ideas and concepts covered in "Understanding the Dewey System". Please complete these review questions before you begin the next module "Researching Your Topic - Finding Articles - Using InfoTrac ASAP".
    Quiz on Locating Library Materials - Using the Dewey System

    This short quiz is designed to help remind you of the important steps in finding library materials by using the Dewey Decimal Classification System. It will not be graded, but hopefully will help you remember what you have learned in the previous tutorial.

    For each question, click on the radio button for the answer you think is correct.

    1. The Dewey Decimal Classification System is considered ...
     
      A.    an alphanumeric system.
      B.    a numerical system.
      C.    an alphabetical system.
    2. Dewey numbers assigned to books usually appear on the spine edge of a book and are commonly known as...
     
      A.    Location Numbers.
      B.    Call Numbers.
      C.    Library Numbers.
    3. Most complete Dewey numbers in the library are made up of...
     
      A.    Three elements: the Main Dewey Number, the Subdivision Number and the Workmark.
      B.    Four elements: the Main Dewey Number, the Subdivision Number, the Cutter Number and
                    the Workmark.
      C.    Two elements: the Main Dewey Number and the Subdivision Number.
    4. Because of the elements of the Dewey System, books on the shelf are arranged by full Dewey Number in...
     
      A.    Date order.
      B.    Descending order.
      C.    Ascending order.
    5. In what order would the following items be found on the shelves under the Dewey Classification system?

     
      A.           

      B.           

      C.           

    6. General subject areas in the Dewey Classification system (such as Philosophy, History and Geography, and Religion) are called:
     
      A.    Classes.
      B.    Ranges.
      C.    Sequences.

    If you missed more than two questions, you should review those portions of this part of the tutorial that pertain to the questions you missed.

    You should now be comfortable in using the Dewey System to locate library materials. If you do have any questions about any concepts in this module, consult your instructor or ask a reference librarian. Thanks for taking this tutorial!.