The Dewey Decimal system is a classification system used by libraries to arrange books via subject. Each book is issued a shelfmark number, usually found on the spine of the book, and arranged in numerical order.
000 Computer science, information and general work
100 Philosophy and psychology
200 Religion
300 Social sciences
400 Language
500 Science
600 Technology
700 Art and recreation
800 Literature
900 History and geography
How does the Dewey Decimal System work?
The first three digits refer to the broad subject area, and are shelved in numerical order. For example, 945 is shelved before 946.
The three digits are followed by a decimal point. The numbers after the decimal point show the sub-section of the subject area. Again, they are shelved in numerical order. For example, 945.805 is shelved before 945.81.
After the numbers, there are three letters which refer to the author(s) or editor(s) of the book. They are shelved in alphabetical order. For example, 945.805 TAB is shelved before 945.805 TRB
.
