What are the advantages/disadvantages of
this system? Why was it developed? Who uses it? What are the basic principles
of system? Are there any inherent prejudices or biases? Discuss any other
interesting information about this type of library classification system. And
finally, what system do you think you would use in your media center and why?
Be sure to include a list of your references.
The Dewey Decimal System, or Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC), was
developed by Melvin Dewey in 1876 as a way to classify the written materials of
the world. It was designed to organize
all human knowledge, and more particularly, the materials in a library. It is used by most public libraries in the
United States, as well as in over one hundred other countries. This system arranges books and other
materials in numerical order based on category.
First, the numbers are split into ten classes, each divided into ten
divisions, and further into ten sections.
This means that the number 931 is in class 9, division 3, and section
1. The numbers correspond to different
categories. Decimals are used to divide
the sections even further, allowing items to be classified more
specifically. It is possible for
materials to be classified in more than one way in a computer or written
system; however the materials can only be shelved in one place. Every book has a Dewey Decimal classification
associated with it, but not every library organizes all books using this
method.
The Dewey Decimal System has advantages as well as disadvantages. One huge advantage is that it classifies all
materials in a uniform way, and is so widely used. However, all systems classify in some manner,
and who is to say that popularity of a system makes it the best? Another advantage is that it is very simple
to organize shelves in a library and to put books back on the shelves. People can easily put items in numerical
order. There are also disadvantages to
this system. First, it is difficult to
add more subjects to this system. The
categories are already defined, and with the world changing and adapting, it is
not easy to fit all new books into the predefined categories. Yes, smaller more specific categories can be
developed, but they still must fit into the broader defined categories that
exist. Another disadvantage of the Dewey
Decimal System is that it is difficult for most people to use. If a reader is not familiar with the system,
the reader may struggle with finding the books, because he or she has not
memorized the categories that match up with particular numbers. Browsing in a library that uses the Dewey
Decimal System is not an easy task.
If I had a media center located within a school, I think that I would
use a system similar to the bookstore method.
I think that the school is a rather small setting, and students
typically browse for books within the school.
The bookstore method gives the library a more natural and comfortable
setting. Students are used to going into
bookstores and would be able to find what they are looking for more
easily. I would probably use the BISAC
classification if possible to create some type of uniform classification within
the library, so that specific books could also be easily found.
References
Singleton, M. (2011, January 26). Bisac -
in which we organize the bookshop sections. [Web log article] Retrieved from http://bookshopblog.com/2011/01/26/bisac-in-which-we-organize-the-bookshop-sections/
Wingett, Y. (2007, May 30). Gilbert
library to be first to drop Dewey Decimal. The Arizona
Republic. Retrieved from http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/0530nodewey0530.html?&wired&nclick_check=1
Halsey, J. (n.d.). The Dewey Decimal Classification System. Retrieved
from http://mypages.iit.edu/~smart/halsey/lesson1.htm
Dewey Decimal Classification. (n.d.).
Retrieved September 20, 2012 from the Wikipedia Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dewey_Decimal_Classification
