Classmarks - brief dewey decimal system library guide
Transcript of Dewey Classmarks
1. Amended by GD 1/12/2008 Welcome to London Metropolitan
University Libraries Classmarks: How to find books on the shelves
Library Services
2. Dewey Decimal System
At London Metropolitan University Library we use a
classification method for all subjects called the Dewey Decimal
Classification System. To find a book on the library shelves you
will need to know its Classmark .
This you can find from the library catalogue. You need to get
familiar with the classmark (numbers) for your subjects.
This classification system divides all knowledge or subjects
into 10 broad categories. Categories start from 000 to 999. A wide
range of numbers can be used due to addition of the decimal
point.
Open the following web site address in your web browser:
http://catalogue.londonmet.ac.uk/
3. Class Numbers
Use for finding general Information :
There are 10 Broad CLASSES
000 Computers/Information
100 Philosophy & Psychology
200 Religion
300 Social Sciences
400 Languages
500 Science
600 Technology (Applied Sciences)
700 Arts & Recreation
800 Literature
900 History, Geography, Travel
4. Classmark Search
Now do a keyword search on the library catalogue at;
http://catalogue.londonmet.ac.uk
check to see what classmark your subject falls under. As an
example, search on the topic of 'Study Skills'. Task:
Type the keywords study skills , click on the Search Button,
Click on the title " 'The study Skills Handbook by S Cottrell' "
and look at the column called 'Classmark'
What is the classmark ?
5. How do I find a book on the shelves?
Find the book details on the library catalogue
Check in which library it is held
Check that the item is available
Look for the Classmark:
658.4038011LAU
6. How do I find a book on the shelves?
Books are classed from 000 to 999
Go to the shelves to find the book
Look for your classmark, eg:
658.
403
801
1
LAU
7. Moving from the general to the specific.
Moving From Broad Subjects to Subdivisions to Specialised
Topics
Subjects are then further divided into 10 main classes or
categories. Take the example of the 700s classmark numbers for Arts
and Recreation topics.
Each main class e.g. 700 is divided into 10 subdivisions e.g.
700, 710, 720, 730,
The breakdown of the subject continues......... Take the number
720 Each of these subdivisions is further divided into 10
specialised topics, e.g. 720, 721, 722, 723, 724, 725, ..
8. The Decimal Point
At the end of the scale a Decimal point is used to show the
specificity of the subject. The more Specialised topics are further
divided by using the decimal point e.g. 720.01, 720.02, 720.1,
720.2,.
The more numbers the more specific the subject. What it does:
coordinates subjects in the same subject field and places related
subjects on the shelves in number order.
9. Short Quiz
Ignore for now the letters after the classmark
What is the classmark for title " The Social Impact of the
Arts:an intellectual history by Belfiore, Eleonora ? ":
What is the classmark of title " Ancient Architecture?
Do a keyword search for " Sport Management." What is the
classmark for the second title?:
10. 700 Arts & Recreation
700 Arts & Recreation
10 Classes are divided in to 10 divisions or specialised topics
within Arts and Recreation topics:
Subdivisions
700 Arts 710 Landscaping 720 Architecture 730 Sculpture
Metalwork 740 Drawing 750 Painting 760 Graphic Arts 770 Photography
780 Music 790 Sports, Games
700 Arts & Recreation Categories 10 divisions are further
subdivided into 10 Specialised topics ranging from 0-9, 10-19,
20-29.... I.e. 700-709, 710-719, 720-729 etc to end at
790-799.
11. 700 Arts & Recreation
Specialised Topics
790 Recreational & Performing Arts 791 Public Performances
792 Stage Presentations 793 Indoor games 794 Indoor Games of Skill
795 Games of Chance 796 Athletics & Outdoor Sports 797 Aquatic
& Air Sports 798 Equestrian Sports 799 Fishing &
Hunting
Finding Specialised or Specific Subject Areas within a Subject
We started at 700-799, broad subjects or categories, Broad Subjects
700-799
Subdivided them in to 10 subdivisions 700, 710, 720, etc
Specific Subjects 700-709, 710 - 719, 720-729 ..............790
-799 These numbers were further subdivided 700, 701, 702, 703,
.......,
12. 700 Arts & Recreation
Specialised Subjects 701-709..............791-799
Adding the Decimal point means that specialised topics are
broken down even further
Take the number 796 - Athletics and Outdoor Sports Each Section
is subdivided
(This is a sample) 796.01 Sport Psychology 796.046 Extreme
Sports 796.077 Coaching 796.10 Childrens Games 796.14 Flying Kites
796.3 Ball Games 796.32 Net Ball 796.4
What classmark is the topic " martial arts'? "
13.
Books are Filed digit by digit not by whole number. 331 331.01
, 331.011
In this list which number comes first, which is second, third
etc.? ..., 331.02, 331.041, 331.016, 331.042, 331.1, 331.192,
331.026, 331.2
Books are arranged in number order with the lowest numbers to
the left. e.g. Management books are 658 .
Numbers are arranged in order firstly by the 3 digits to the
left of the decimal point, i.e.
658 and then by any digits that are present after the decimal
point. 658.01 658.1 658.101
15.
Digits after the decimal point are ordered with the lowest
number first, taking one digit at a time. 658.01 658.001 658.0014
658.001511322 and so on
How would you find Science textbooks? Type in "Science" in your
keyword search. Click on any title. What main number s are you
getting. Are they within the "500s"?
16. Classmarks & Letters
Additional to the classmark numbers, letters are also used.
When we have a large amount of books in the same subject field
which share the same classmark number a specific title may be
difficult to find.
Books are then arranged not just in the number order but also
in alphabetical order from left to right taking the first three
letters from the title or authors surname. 658 ABC 658.BAR 500.0123
LAF 338.102 ACC