How are our books arranged on the shelves?
.jpg)
A sign on the end of each bay of books lists the subjects that are in each of the bays, with their numbers.
Our libraries use the Dewey Decimal classification system, which is the most widely used classification system in the world. This splits all knowledge into ten main classes:
Each of these main classes is split into ten divisions, e.g.
And so on.
The third digit indicates the section, e.g.
There is generally then a decimal point, after which the subject is sub-divided further. The decimal point makes the number easier to read, but has no mathematical significance!
E.g.
At UWTSD, we also use a three-letter suffix after the numbers.
This generally consists of the first three letters of the author’s name. If the work has an editor, then either the first three letters of the editor or of the title are used. If the work is about an artist or an architect, then we use the first three letters of their name. Works about computer programs use the first three letters of the program.
This helps locate an individual work on the shelf. E.g.
Dewey®, DDC® and Dewey Decimal Classification® are the proprietary trademarks of OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc. and are used with permission.
