Books in library are arranged by subject using the Dewey Decimal
Classification system. Each subject is given a number called a Call
number, and the books are then shelved in numerical order.
The Dewey Decimal Classification divides all knowledge into ten main subject areas, which are each assigned a range of numbers:
000 – 099 General subjects, computing
100 – 199 Philosophy, psychology
200 – 299 Religion
300 – 399 Social sciences
400 – 499 Language
500 – 599 Natural sciences, mathematics
600 – 699 Technology (applied sciences)
700 – 799 Arts, entertainment
800 – 899 Literature
900 – 999 History, geography
The main subject areas are subdivided into smaller and smaller sections, giving more specific subjects like:
- 600 Technology (applied sciences)
- 610 Medical sciences and medicine
- 620 Engineering & allied operations
- 630 Agriculture
- 640 Home economics & family living
- 650 Management & auxiliary services
- 660 Chemical engineering
- 670 Manufacturing
- 680 Manufacture for specific uses
- 690 Buildings
and again subdivided into ...
650 Management & auxiliary services
650.1 Personal success in business
651 Office services
651.3 Office management
651.5 Records management
651.7 Communication Creation and transmission of records
651.8 Data processing Computer applications
652 Processes of written communication
652.3 Typewriting
652.5 Word processing
653 Shorthand
654 not used
655 not used
656 not used
657 Accounting
658 General management
- 658.1 Organization and finance
- 658.2 Plant management
- 658.3 Personal management
- 658.4 Executive management
- 658.5 Management of production
- 658.7 Management of materials
- 658.8 Management of distribution (Marketing)
Every DDC call number begins with a three-digit whole number, and some
are followed by decimal numbers. The second part contains three letters
called book number. So a call number is the combination of both Class
number and Book Number.
DDC Call Number
Let's illustrate how a DDC call number works using the following book :
The Declaration of Independence by the United States of America - Call Number 973.3 UNI -D
The first line of a DDC call number identifies the subject of the work
and each digit has a specific meaning. In our example, the digits may be
interpreted thus:
- The first number, 9, places the book in the 900s which is History & Geography,
- The second number, 7, places the book in the 970s which is General History of North America,
- The third number, 3, places the book the in 973s which is United States,
- The fourth number, 3, places the book the in 973.3s which is Revolution and confederation, 1775-1789,
- Thus 973.3 is used for materials about the American revolution and confederation which occurred between 1775 and 1789.
Fortunately, you do not need to memorize this. However, you may use this knowledge to your advantage.
The second line identifies the author of the work by using the first
three letters of the author's last name, or the corporate name. In this
example, the author is a group or corporate entity with no "last name,"
so the first three letters of the whole name are used, UNI.
The letter D is indicated the first letter of the Title.
When using the call number, treat the number that precedes the
decimal/period/full stop as a whole number, and that which follows it as
a decimal number. Therefore, 091 comes before 910, and 940.13 comes
before 940.3. Letters on the second line are read alphabetically.
DDC Numbers Arranged in Alpha-Numeric Order.
