Q&A for How to Use the Dewey Decimal System

You'll learn the Dewey system very quickly. It's not hard.

There is no relationship between the two systems. They're completely different.

The Dewey Decimal system is used to categorize nonfiction book topics. For example, numbers 800-899 is the Literature category.

Without knowing the details of the book, there are a few possible answers. 060 Associations, organizations and museums. 069 Museum Science. 700 Art. 708 Galleries, museums, private collections of fine and decorative arts. 100 Philosophy. 106 Organizations and management.

SC stands for Story Collection. Anthologies of fiction are filed with the designation SC followed by the first three letters of the author's name.

OCLC, a worldwide library consortium, has a chart outlining the subdivisions online at oclc.org/en/dewey/features/summaries.html#ten.

The Library of Congress system (LCC or LoC) is another alternative. Law libraries might use the Moys system. And of course, fiction books are usually just sorted by the author's last name, rather than by their appropriate Dewey number.

That's a different method of organizing. Fictional books are organized in alphabetical order by the author's last name. When in doubt, ask a librarian.

The Dewey Decimal Classification for a book about cancer is "616.9." 616 is the classification for diseases with .9 being the designation for AIDS and cancer.

In a library where books are categorized by subject but use the Dewey Decimal Classification, the DDC numbers guide the placement of books within each subject. For example, Canadian History might include books within the 971 range, American History under 973, Animals 590 to 599, and Plants 580 to 589. For shelves without specific subject categories, books are arranged strictly by DDC order, organized numerically and alphabetically using the full call number. If the library mixes categorization methods, follow the signage and any local shelving guidelines.

To file these numbers in the correct Dewey Decimal order, compare them digit by digit, including after the decimal point. The correct order is 980.1, 980.12, 980.220, 988.2.

Slashes in call numbers are intentional and serve a purpose beyond readability. They help organize and categorize items in library systems like the Library of Congress and Dewey Decimal System.

When returning books using the Dewey Decimal System, order them by numerical value, digit by digit, not by number of digits. The correct order is 143.0043, 143.043, and 143.43, as smaller decimal values come first.

To catalog a book using DDC, identify its main subject by reviewing the content. Use a DDC manual or an online tool like WebDewey to find the most specific classification number for the topic. Add decimal extensions for more detail if needed. Combine the DDC number with the first three letters of the author's last name to create the call number, such as 520.3 SMI for a book by Smith. Label the book with this call number and organize it on the shelf in numerical order.

To assign Dewey Decimal numbers, use a Dewey Decimal guide or an online resource like WebDewey to find specific classifications under the main category, such as 248 for religion. Check the book’s content to determine the exact focus. For example, 248.4 might cover prayer, while 248.86 might address Christian marriage. You can add a Cutter number if needed to make the classification unique, such as using the author's name or book title. Check similar books in libraries or online catalogs like WorldCat for guidance, then label and organize the book in your system.

The Dewey Decimal number for general mythology is 291.13. Greek and Roman mythology are classified under 292, while Norse mythology falls under 293.

Adding a "J" before the Dewey Decimal number is not essential but can be helpful when organizing juvenile or children's books. Libraries often use "J" to distinguish juvenile materials from the main collection, making it easier to identify and locate age-appropriate books. If you're cataloging for personal use or a specific group, use it only if it helps with organization. For general adult collections, the "J" is unnecessary.

The Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) number for knot tying is generally 623, although this may not always be applicable.

It is shelved with the Ms, as the "Mac" is considered part of the author's name.

Most college and university libraries use the Library of Congress Classification system, although some use the Dewey Decimal System.

It would go under 403, which is dictionaries, encyclopedias and concordances.

It would be in number 492, which is Afro-Asiatic languages. Despite Mlatese not being spoken in Africa or Asia, it is a Semetic language, so falls under this category.

You should find these at 641.86.

Look in the 332.6 area.

It would go in the 800s. It is first and foremost a work of poetry. Similarly, Mary Oliver's poems about birds would also go in the 800s, rather than the 600s, and Shakespeare's plays about the War of the Roses belong in the 820s rather than the history section.