Digging Dewey

The Dewey Decimal System, developed by Melvil Dewey in 1876, organizes all knowledge into 10 main classes (ie. 100, 500) which are then subdivided into 100 divisions (ie. 110, 560) , 1000 sections (ie. 115, 569), and eventually divided further using decimal points (ie. 115.4, 569.072). Although complicated sounding, the result is an easy to follow shelving system which groups like items together both under broad and highly specific headings. Any type of material can be classified using the Dewey Decimal System, including all books, CDs, movies, magazines, toys, and, if the need is there, even furniture. Although here at the Franklin Square Library we've decided to arrange fiction books by author, CDs by artist, and movies by title, a large percentage of our books are filed according to the Dewey Decimal System.

Each month we'll highlight a different group of Dewey numbers. Join us in our journey and discover the world awaiting you at your library!

Digging Dewey Schedule: Click to view each Digging Dewey entry as it becomes available!
000 - 099	100 - 199	200 - 299	300 - 399	400 - 499
500 - 599	600 - 699	700 - 799	800 - 899	900 - 999

000 to 099

Computer Science, Information, and General Works

Section 000 to 099 covers computer science, information and general works. If you are trying to figure out what is wrong with your computer or how to do something in PowerPoint, this is the section to visit. Computer science books can be found in 000 to 009. Encyclopedias and books of facts can be found in 030 to 039. If you want to know who holds the record for the largest cake, check out the Guinness World Records book in 032. If your language of choice is Occitan, you would be able to find an Occitan encyclopedia in 034. Looking for information on associations, organizations, and museums? Try 060 to 069. If what you are seeking is a book, or even a single sheet of text, that was printed—not handwritten—before the year 1501 in Europe, then look no further than 093 where Incunabula can be found.

100 to 199

Philosophy and Psychology

As they sang in Ghostbusters, "If there's something strange in your neighborhood...Who you gonna call?" Your local library of course! We have tons of information available on all types of strange, mysterious, and sometimes scary creatures. If your guilty pleasure is watching Ghostbusters, then check out the paranormal phenomena section in the 130s. Find information on parapsychology, occultism, ghosts, witches, discover what your dreams are trying to tell you, and (in case you've always questioned what those bumps on your head mean) phrenology.

Commune with Plato and Sigmund Freud in the 100s and learn all about philosophy and psychology. You can delve into the world metaphysics in the 110s. Learn about Jean Piaget, Ivan Pavlov (and his dogs), B.F. Skinner, and Carl Jung at the Dewey number 155. Trying to get your point across or win an argument? In order to successfully make your point, check out the books on logic (160) and argument and persuasion (168). Add some ethics (170) into your discussion and you're all set to wow your opponent. To learn about pre-socratic, sophistic, platonic, skeptic, neoplatonic, and other ancient philosophies, head for the 180s and consider the philosophies of John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and David Hume in the 190s.

200 to 299

Religion

Are you interested in learning more about your own religion or sect? Maybe you would like to find out about the similarities and differences between different religions? If so, check out the 200 section of the Dewey Decimal System: Religion.

To get an overview on the philosophy and theory of religion, look in the 210s. Learn about the concept of God in 211 then discover the existence and attributes of Him in 212. Creationism can be found in 213. Want to know how we fit into the grand scheme of things? Look no farther than 218: Humankind.

Interested in the Christian Bible? Read up on the Old Testament (221-224) and the New Testament (225). To see how the Biblical end of the world (the Apocalypse) stands up to the Mayan's 2012 prediction, check out Revelations in 228. Christian theology can be found in the 230s while morals, practice, and observance can be found in the 240s. Christian orders and religious congregations can be researched in the 250s and the history of the Christian church throughout the world can be found in the 270s. What is the difference between Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians, Protestants and other Christian denominations? Find out in the 280s.

For all other religions, go to the 290s. Ancient Greek and Roman religious beliefs can be compared in 292. Explore the concept of Buddism's Four Noble Truths, Hinduism's Devas, Janism’s desire to achieve spiritual-self development, and Sikhism's waheguru in 294. Discover Judaism in 296 and learn about Islam and the Koran in 297. Other religious groups such as Wiccans and druids, as well as Native American beliefs, can be found in 299.

300 to 399

Social Sciences

Everything you have ever wanted to know about the social sciences (sciences that deal with the institutions and functioning of human society) can be found in the 300 section of the Dewey Decimal System.

Follow Margaret Mead's lead and study about other cultures in 301: Sociology and Anthropology. Are you interested in how people and society interact and work together? Check out social interaction (301), social processes (303), and factors affecting social behavior (304). If you love manipulating numbers and statistics, check out 310 through 319--general statistics for Europe, Africa, Asia, and North and South America.

If political science is your forte, check out the 320s. Systems of government can be found in 321, civil and political rights in 323, the political process in 324, international relations in 327, and the legislative process in 328. For information on Ellis Island and immigration to America look no further than 325. Learn about slavery, abolitionists, and emancipation in 326.

LSAT study guides and information about law schools are shelved in the 340s. Need to study for a civil service exam? Find their study guides in 351. Read up on the military and wars while studying for the ASVAB in section 355. Learn how to run a classroom and teach your students according to their skills and abilities in the 370s. Study for the GED, SAT, regents, & AP exams in 378. Feeling nostalgic for the metric system which briefly swept through America in the 1970s? Look in 389.

The 390s cover customs, etiquette, and folklore. If you need to research the perfect costume for a period piece play or Halloween costume check 391. If you need help planning a wedding go to 392 where you'll find books on toasts, vows, and help finding that perfect dress. Learn about death customs and rites in different cultures and Egyptian mummies in 393. General customs such as dining rituals or festivals can be found in 394. Learn proper etiquette from Emily Post, Miss Manners and Amy Vanderbilt in 395 and discover the folktales of cultures throughout the world in 398.

400 to 499

Language

If your quest in life is to become proficient in many languages in anticipation of a career as a polylingual translator then this is the Dewey Decimal section for you—a one stop shop for everything and anything you have ever wanted to know about languages.

For the basics—philosophy and theory of language —look in 401. For dictionaries and encyclopedias, check out 403. Interested in linguistics (the science of language including phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, and structure)? Look between 410 and 418,

Do you want to learn how to speak a different language? Each major language group has its own section in the Dewey Decimal System. Learn how to say ‘library’ in…

All other languages including Russian (Библиотека), Arabic (مكتبة), Finnish (kirjasto), Swahili (maktaba), Welsh (llyfrgell), Indonesian (perpustakaan), Esperanto (biblioteko), and yes, even Klingon can be found in the 490s.

So pick the language you’ve always wanted to learn and see what is available in books, on CD/cassette, or VHS/DVD!

500 to 599

Science

“Equipped with his five senses, man explores the universe around him and calls the adventure science.”

Are you ready to explore your universe? Interested in finding out more about the animals, birds, and insects with whom you share this earth? Ever wonder what causes a volcano to erupt or an earthquake to shake the ground? Would you be fascinated to learn how math plays a part in daily life? Are you curious to know just how large our universe is? Then look no further than the 500 section of the Dewey Decimal System.

Everything you have ever learned about math but have already forgotten can be refreshed in your mind by browsing the 510s. Learn about Algebra (512), Arithmetic (513), or Geometry/Trigonometry (516). Fractals can be viewed and explored in 514.74. Need a pre-calc or calculus refresher or an introduction to differential equations? Look in 515. Want to figure out the odds before your next bet? Look in 519 for probability and statistics.

“Space…the Final Frontier…to explore strange new worlds; to seek out new life and new civilizations; to boldly go where no man has gone before…” Learn about our planet and other plants in our solar system in the 520s.

Discover the world at the molecular level with quantum physics and decide whether Schrodinger’s Cat is dead or alive, and what Stephen Hawking has to say about the world in the 530s.

Read up on your periodic table of elements and find out how chemicals and elements interact in the 540s. Discover the differences between qualitative and quantitative analysis (544-545) and, for all you medical school students, get a head start on Inorganic and Organic Chemistry (546-547).

Learn about planet Earth and what makes her tick in the 550s. Geology, hydrology, and meteorology are in 551. Rocks and minerals are in 553. If you hope to be the next Mary Anning or Mary Leakey, check out the paleontology/paleozoology section in the 560s and discover the world of fossils that lie right under your feet. Genetics and evolution are found in 576s and ecology in 577.

Are you interested in flora and fauna? The world of plants can be found in the 580s. The world of animals can be found in the 590s with invertebrates in 592, vertebrates in 596, fish in 598, birds in 598, and mammals in 599.

600 to 699

Technology

The 600s explore the vast world of technology. From blueprint reading, to the human body, engineering, agriculture, cooking, management, and manufacturing—all facets of the technological world can be found here. If you’ve ever wondered how things work or how things are made, your answer is in this section.

Read up on trademarks and symbols in 602. If you are interested in drafting, technical drawing, or want to learn how to read a blueprint, check out 603. To find out who invented or patented that item you use every day or to read up on historical inventions, look in 609.

Hypochondriacs should stay away from the 610s. Everything and anything you want to know about the human body can be found here, complete with illustrations. The number 611 houses information on human anatomy, cytology, and histology. Human physiology can be found in 612. For information on the latest diet craze, how to live your life and how to stay healthy, check out 613. On the flip side, plagues, epidemics, and forensic science can be found in 614, along with information on vaccines. To find out the side effects, both good and bad, of medication you are currently taking, look in 615. Disease, germs and illnesses are in 617, information about surgery and operations is in 617, and gynecology is in 618.

Engineering and applied operations can be found in the 620s. The 630s cover the vast topic of agriculture. If you have a green thumb or would like to learn how to get one, check out this section. You can learn about what types of plants to grow, how to make your soil better, how to build a greenhouse, and how to protect your plants against pests in 630-635. Plant your flowers or a vegetable garden or give your house new curb appeal. Dewey numbers beginning with 636 covers animal husbandry—learn how to care for your favorite pets or livestock. Learn about bees and how to keep them in 638. To learn about fishing, hunting, or trapping, look in 639.

The 640s cover home economics and family living including how to cook the perfect meal and how to decorate your house. Cookbooks galore await all hopeful chefs interested in cooking that gourmet meal in the 641s. Discover ideas to help decorate your house in 645 and learn how to sew outfits to decorate yourself in 646. Discover the numerous cleaning uses for vinegar and baking soda in 648. Child rearing and home care of the sick can be found in 649.

Once your house is clean spend some time tidying up your business practices. The 650s cover management and offers suggestions on how to deal with a problem employee or problem employer. Office services are in 651. Say “goodbye” to the days of ‘hunting and pecking’ and learn how to type properly (with all your fingers—not just Pointer!) in 652.

Chemical engineering—the process of combining physical science, life science, and mathematics to process raw materials into useful forms—can be researched in the 660s. Learn about bio-fuels and how they can be converted into the energy needed to power your car in 661. The food sciences (including techniques on how to preserve, process, and distribute food) can be found in 664.

The 670s cover manufacturing or the ability to turn raw materials into finished goods through the use of tools. In this section you can discover ways to weld metals, carve decorative wood doodads, and create your own paper.

Planning on doing some home improvements? Look to the 690s: Building. Become an expert carpenter and create a wooden frame for a house in 694. Put a roof over your head in 695. Add a heating and cooling system in your newly built house by checking out 697 and add the finishing touches in 698.

700 to 799

Arts and Recreation

The 700s cover the vast world of arts and recreation. From 700-770, you can learn about various artistic processes from oil paints to water colors and from textiles to architecture. In the 780s, you can find information on music including sheet music and the history of rock and roll. The 790s cover recreation and the performing arts.

700-709 covers the basics of art. Learn what careers are available in the art world and browse through handbooks that describe the tools of an artist’s trade in 702. The Dewey number 704 includes special topics such as children’s art from 9/11, Native American art, women artists, and African American art. Learn how to buy fine art for under $300 in 707 and discover art museums in 708. The history of art can be researched in 709.

Landscape art can be viewed in the 710s. Learn how to become a landscape artist in 712. The 714s can help you add water features such as ponds, fountains, and waterfalls to your outdoor canvas and create topiaries with the help of Dewey number 715. Labyrinths, mazes, garden paths, bricks and masonry for the garden can be found in 717.

The 720s cover architecture where you can learn about such greats as Louis Sullivan and the Chicago School, Antonio Gaudi, Miles van der Rohe, and Frank Lloyd Wright. Discover what architecture is prevalent in religious structures, public buildings, and residential dwellings and see how architecture techniques have changed since the year 300.

The 730s cover sculpture. Check out 731 for the processes, techniques, methods, and materials needed to create sculptures like a professional. Discover how the practice has changed over the years using Dewey numbers 732-735.

The 740s cover drawing and decorative arts. Lean how to draw comics and manga like the masters in 741. Perspective can be tricky—after all it was known to the ancient Egyptians and then disappeared until rediscovered in the 1400s—but you can become an expert by looking in the 742s. Textile art is shelved in the 746s where you can find instruction and patterns for embroidery, needlework, knitting, and crochet projects. If you want to redecorate your home the 747s are for you. Lean about window and wall ideas as well as how to create your own dream bathroom.

The 750s, 60s and 70s cover painting, graphic arts, photography, and computer art. Learn about techniques and different styles of painting in 751 and color and light in 752. Learn about engraving, etchings, and print-making in the 760s. Digital photography can be found in 775 and computer art can be found 776.

Everything you have ever needed or wanted to know about music can be found between the Dewey numbers 780 and 789. Opera can be found in 782, keyboards in 786, stringed instruments in 787 and woodwinds in 788.

The 790s cover recreational and performing arts. Information about great films, television shows, and actors can be found in 791 and theater and stage productions in 792. Books on gambling, card games, and casinos can be found in 795. All you sports fans out there can flock to the 796s where you’ll find baseball (796.357), football (796.332), basketball (796.323), hockey (796.962), and soccer (796.334). If your idea of sport involves water or gliding high above the earth, check out 797 where you’ll learn about canoeing, kayaking, parachuting, surfing, and hang gliding. Dewey number 798 covers equestrian sports and animal racing, while 799 covers fishing, hunting, and shooting.

800 to 899

Literature

Every language has its literature and that literature can be found in the 800s. Literature is defined as prose (written or oral) and includes fiction, non-fiction, drama, and poetry. Therefore, it is entirely possible to provide Dewey Decimal numbers to popular works of fiction rather than simply shelving them according to the author’s last name. For example, James Patterson’s Judge and Jury could be shelved in 813.54 and Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre in 823.8.

Basic information on literature can be found in 800-809. The philosophy and theory of literature can be found in 801. Literary dictionaries and encyclopedias are shelved in the 803s. The Dewey number 808 houses books on rhetoric and collections of literature while literary criticisms and histories can be found in 809.

Within each ten number section you can find poetry (8_1), drama (8_2), fiction (8_3), essays (8_4), speeches (8_5), letters (8_6), satire (8_7), miscellaneous (8_8), and literature in languages related to the section (8_9). For example, American poetry can be found in 811 and French essays in 844.

So take some time to check out what authors in other languages have to say. Read them in their native tongue or find an English translation.

900 to 999

History, Geography, and Biography

Dewey numbers between 900 and 999 cover the topics of history, geography, and biography. To learn the very basics, including the philosophy and theory of history and to view historic encyclopedias and dictionaries, go to 901-903. If you like to read true stories of tragedy, disaster, survival, and great ship disasters, then look in the 904s. An overview of World History can be found in 909.

Are you planning your next fabulous, out-of-this-world vacation? Read up on some the states and countries you’re planning to visit. Our travel and geography section can be found between 911 and 919. For historical geography, go to 911. For graphic representations of earth such as atlases and maps, go to 912. For lost cities, archaeology, underwater exploration, and ancient civilizations look in 913. Traveling to foreign (and not so foreign lands) such as Paris, China, Egypt, Boston, Brazil or the Fiji Islands? Check out these and other exotic locals within these Dewey numbers:

If you enjoy reading biographies, then look in 920-928: collective biographies. Who is the patron saint of bee keeping ( Ambrose of Milan) and animal welfare (Saint Francis of Assisi) and why are they saints today? Find out by skimming through 922 where books on Saints can be found. For world leaders including Kings, Queens, Tsars, Presidents, and Vice-Presidents, look in 923. People in the fields of science and technology can be found in 925 and 926, sports figures, musicians and artists in 927, and writers in 928. Genealogy, family history, the meaning of names, heraldry, and the symbolic meaning of designs found on flags can all be found in 929.

Historical accounts of specific peoples, civilizations, nations, and events begin in the 930s. Ancient worlds are touched upon first with China (931), Egypt (932), Mesopotamia (935), Europe—north and west of Italy (936), and Greece (938). General histories (from the dark ages on) follow as such:

940: World War I, World War II, Holocaust

941: Europe, British Isles

942: Europe, England and Wales

943: Central Europe, Germany

944: France & Monaco

945: Italian peninsula

946: Iberian peninsula

947: Eastern Europe, Soviet Union

948: Northern Europe, Scandinavia

949: Other parts of Europe

950-959: Asia

960-969: Africa

970-979: North America

980-989: South America

993: New Zealand

994: Australia

998: Arctic & Antarctica

So check out the 900s. Rediscover your past and plan your future vacation with Dewey.

Franklin Square Public Library

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"Digging Dewey"

Digging Dewey Schedule:

Click to view each Digging Dewey entry as it becomes available!