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Information Literacy : Library Call Numbers

A Guide to Information Literacy: What is it? Where can I go to get answers about it? Why does it matter?

Dewey Decimal System

The Dewey Decimal Classification system is used in many libraries. The system, which divides the world’s knowledge into 10 main classes, was created by Melvil Dewey in 1876. Each class is then broken down into more specific categories. The longer the Dewey number, the more specific the subject is. Dewey Decimal Classification provides a structure for labeling items so that they will sit with items of the same or similar topics on the shelf. Below is the list of the 10 main classes.

Dewey has 10 broad classifications:

  • 000 - 099 = Computer science, knowledge & systems
  • 100 - 199 = Philosophy
  • 200 - 299 = Religion
  • 300 - 399 = Social sciences, sociology & anthropology
  • 400 - 499 = Language
  • 500 - 599 = Science
  • 600 - 699 = Technology
  • 700 - 799 = Arts
  • 800 - 899 = Literature, rhetoric & criticism
  • 900 - 999 = History

Dewey Decimal System: 000-499

000 Computer science, knowledge & systems

010 Bibliographies

020 Library & information sciences

030 Encyclopedias & books of facts

040 [Unassigned]

050 Magazines, journals & serials

060 Associations, organizations & museums

070 News media, journalism & publishing

080 Quotations

090 Manuscripts & rare books

100 Philosophy

110 Metaphysics

120 Epistemology

130 Parapsychology & occultism

140 Philosophical schools of thought

150 Psychology

160 Logic

170 Ethics

180 Ancient, medieval & eastern philosophy

190 Modern western philosophy

200 Religion

210 Philosophy & theory of religion

220 The Bible

230 Christianity & Christian theology

240 Christian practice & observance

250 Christian pastoral practice & religious orders

260 Christian organization, social work & worship

270 History of Christianity

280 Christian denominations

290 Other religions

300 Social sciences, sociology & anthropology

310 Statistics

320 Political science

330 Economics

340 Law

350 Public administration & military science

360 Social problems & social services

370 Education

380 Commerce, communications & transportation

390 Customs, etiquette & folklore

400 Language

410 Linguistics

420 English & Old English languages

430 German & related languages

440 French & related languages

450 Italian, Romanian & related languages

460 Spanish & Portuguese languages

470 Latin & Italic languages

480 Classical & modern Greek languages

490 Other languages

Source: https://www.oclc.org/content/dam/oclc/dewey/resources/summaries/deweysummaries.pdf

Dewey Decimal System: 500-999

500 Science

510 Mathematics

520 Astronomy

530 Physics

540 Chemistry

550 Earth sciences & geology

560 Fossils & prehistoric life

570 Life sciences; biology

580 Plants (Botany)

590 Animals (Zoology)

600 Technology

610 Medicine & health

620 Engineering

630 Agriculture

640 Home & family management

650 Management & public relations

660 Chemical engineering

670 Manufacturing

680 Manufacture for specific uses

690 Building & construction

700 Arts

710 Landscaping & area planning

720 Architecture

730 Sculpture, ceramics & metalwork

740 Drawing & decorative arts

750 Painting

760 Graphic arts

770 Photography & computer art

780 Music

790 Sports, games & entertainment

800 Literature, rhetoric & criticism

810 American literature in English

820 English & Old English literatures

830 German & related literatures

840 French & related literatures

850 Italian, Romanian & related literatures

860 Spanish & Portuguese literatures

870 Latin & Italic literatures

880 Classical & modern Greek literatures

890 Other literatures

900 History

910 Geography & travel

920 Biography & genealogy

930 History of ancient world (to ca. 499)

940 History of Europe

950 History of Asia

960 History of Africa

970 History of North America

980 History of South Americ

Source: https://www.oclc.org/content/dam/oclc/dewey/resources/summaries/deweysummaries.pdf