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Information Literacy Library Media Skills

Dewey Decimal System

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Dewey Decimal System

A method for arranging non-fiction books and other materials by subject in a consistent and logical numerical order.

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In the Dewey Decimal System

Books are put into ten large subject groups called categories.

Each category is given 100 basic numbers.

Each number stands for a specific topic.

Each non-fiction book is given a number and put on the shelf in numerical order. (Books on the same topic and thus with the same number are put in alphabetical order by the author’s last name.)

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1. The location of the book in the library.

2. The general subject of the book.

The Dewey Decimal number tells you two things:

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Dewey Decimal Categories

000-099 General Reference

100-199 Philosophy, Psychology

200-299 Religion

300-399 Social Sciences

400-499 Languages

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Dewey Decimal Categories

500-599 Sciences, Mathematics

600-699 Useful Arts and Sciences

700-799 Fine Arts (art, music, sports)

800-899 Literature, Poetry, Drama

900-999 History, Travel, Biography

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Some examples illustrating how the Dewey Decimal System works

970 General History of North America 971Canada

972 Middle America Mexico973 United States history973.920th century973.91 1901-1953973.92 administration of J. F. Kennedy973.98 administration of George Bush

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More examples illustrating how the Dewey Decimal System works

796 Athletic & Outdoor Sports & Games796.3ball games796.33 inflated ball driven by foot796.332 American football796.333 rugby796.334 soccer (association football)

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Information LiteracyLibrary Media Skills

The Card Catalog orThe Online Catalog (Online Public Access Catalog: OPAC)

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The Card Catalog

A guide to all books and materials in the library Arranged in alphabetical order by the author’s

last name, the title, and the subject in one alphabetical listing

Filed alphabetically by author, title, subject

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A guide to all books and materials in the library

Is accessed by a computer Is searched by author, title, subject or

keyword.

The Electronic Database

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Search By Author When You Want To Find Out …

If the library owns the bookWhere the book is located on the shelfWhat else the author has written

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Search By Title When You Want To Find Out ...

If the library owns the bookWhere the book is located on the shelfWho the author is

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Search By Subject or Keyword When You Want To Find Out...

What material is available about the topic