Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC)
- The Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) system is a general knowledge organization tool that is continuously revised to keep pace with knowledge.
- The system was conceived by Melvil Dewey in 1873 and first published in 1876. The DDC is published by OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc. OCLC owns all copyright rights in the Dewey Decimal Classification, and licenses the system for a variety of uses.
- The DDC is the most widely used classification system in the world. Libraries in more than 135 countries use the DDC to organize and provide access to their collections, and DDC numbers are featured in the national bibliographies of more than 60 countries.
- Libraries of every type apply Dewey numbers on a daily basis and share these numbers through a variety of means (including WorldCat, the OCLC Online Union Catalog).
- The DDC has been translated into over thirty languages. Translations of the latest full and abridged editions of the DDC are completed, planned, or underway in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Icelandic, Italian, Korean, Norwegian, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
- One of Dewey’s great strengths is that the system is developed and maintained in a national bibliographic agency, the Library of Congress. The Dewey editorial office is located in the Decimal Classification Division of the Library of Congress, where classification specialists annually assign over 110,000 DDC numbers to records for works cataloged by the Library.
The first summary contains the ten main classes. The first digit in each three-digit number represents the main class. For example, 600 represents technology.
The second summary contains the hundred divisions. The second digit in each three-digit number indicates the division. For example, 600 is used for general works on technology, 610 for medicine and health, 620 for engineering,630 for agriculture.
The third summary contains the thousand sections. The third digit in each three-digit number indicates the section. Thus, 610 is used for general works on medicine and health, 611 for human anatomy, 612 for human physiology, 613 for personal health and safety.
- Arabic numerals are used to represent each class in the DDC. A decimal point follows the third digit in a class number, after which division by ten continues to the specific degree of classification needed.
- Notational hierarchy is expressed by length of notation. Numbers at any given level are usually subordinate to a class whose notation is one digit shorter; coordinate with a class whose notation has the same number of significant digits; and superordinate to a class with numbers one or more digits longer.
- The underlined digits in the following example demonstrate this notational hierarchy:
600 Technology (Applied sciences)
630 Agriculture and related technologies
636 Animal husbandry
636.7 Dogs
636.8 Cats
"Dogs" and "Cats" are more specific than (i.e., are subordinate to) "Animal husbandry";
they are equally specific as (i.e., are coordinate with) each other; and "Animal
husbandry" is less specific than (i.e., is superordinate to) "Dogs" and "Cats."
Classifying with the DDC
Classifying a work with the DDC requires determination of the subject, the disciplinary
focus, and, if applicable, the approach or form.
Arragement of DDC
DDC 22 is composed of the following major parts in four volumes:
Volume 1
(A) New Features in Edition 22: A brief explanation of the special features and
changes in DDC 22
(B) Introduction: A description of the DDC and how to use it
(C) Glossary: Short definitions of terms used in the DDC
(D) Index to the Introduction and Glossary
(E) Manual: A guide to the use of the DDC that is made up primarily of extended
discussions of problem areas in the application of the DDC. Information in the
Manual is arranged by the numbers in the tables and schedules. Directly
following the Manual is an appendix explaining the policies of the Library of
Congress Decimal Classification Division.
(F) Tables: Six numbered tables of notation that can be added to class numbers to
provide greater specificity
(G) Lists that compare Editions 21 and 22: Relocations and Discontinuations; Reused
Numbers
Volume 2
(H) DDC Summaries: the top three levels of the DDC
(I) Schedules: The organization of knowledge from 000 - 599
Volume 3
(J) Schedules: The organization of knowledge from 600 - 999
Volume 4
(K) Relative Index: An alphabetical list of subjects with the disciplines in which they
are treated subarranged alphabetically under each entry
These are summaries for DDC :
SUMMARY :
DDC is very important to classification for the book and non book materials according it's subject and fields. Title is often be a clue for the subject. But chapter heading may substitute the absence of table of content. Other than that, the scan of the text itselft may provide further guidance or prelimanary subject analysis. Bibliograhpy references and index entries will give subject information and by this way it can guide cataloger to do classification the books or non books materials.
Here are examples of DDC based on my own exercise :
