The Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) is a widely used system for organizing library materials by subject. Developed by Melvil Dewey in 1876, it's designed to make it easy for users to locate and return books in libraries.
📚 Overview of DDC
- Purpose: To assign a numerical code to every book based on its subject.
- Structure: Divides knowledge into 10 main classes, each subdivided into 10 divisions, and each division into 10 sections (decimal-based).
- Notation: Uses numbers (000–999) with optional decimal points for specificity.
🔟 Main Classes of DDC
| Class No. | Subject Area |
|---|---|
| 000 | General Knowledge, Computer Science |
| 100 | Philosophy & Psychology |
| 200 | Religion |
| 300 | Social Sciences |
| 400 | Language |
| 500 | Natural Sciences & Mathematics |
| 600 | Technology (Applied Sciences) |
| 700 | Arts & Recreation |
| 800 | Literature |
| 900 | History & Geography |
📌 Example Breakdown: Class 500 – Natural Sciences
| Number | Subject |
|---|---|
| 500 | General Science |
| 510 | Mathematics |
| 520 | Astronomy |
| 530 | Physics |
| 540 | Chemistry |
| 550 | Earth Sciences & Geology |
| 560 | Paleontology |
| 570 | Life Sciences (Biology) |
| 580 | Plants (Botany) |
| 590 | Animals (Zoology) |
✅ Key Features of DDC
- Hierarchical: More digits = more specific subject
- Universal: Used worldwide in public and school libraries
- Expandable: Allows adding more specific subtopics using decimal notation
🧠Fun Fact
Melvil Dewey created the DDC when he was just 21 years old, and it's still in use more than 140 years later — a testament to its flexibility and brilliance.
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